Karan Johar is back. This time, as producer and script writer. The directorial reins have been handed over to his erstwhile assistant Nikhil Advani.

One of the most keenly awaited flicks of 2003, KAL HO NAA HO marks the directorial debut of Nikhil Advani. Starring Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles, the film is based in New York.

Synopsis –

New Yok. April 2003. The late winter continues…

For Naina Catherine Kapur [Preity Zinta], life is cold, grey and dull – as it has been ever since a family tragedy shook her world.

Between the constant bickering in her half Punjabi, half Catholic household, her grand-mother's temper, looking after her little sister and brother and helping her mother Jennifer [Jaya Bachchan] deal with the family's financial troubles – Naina has no time for parties, fun or herself.

She is 23, going on 50. She is serious, she is boring.

Enter Aman Mathur [Shah Rukh Khan]. Like a whiff of fresh air, he moves into their tiny Indian neighbourhood to take it over, helping others solve their problems and face life's little challenges – Aman has all the answers.

Much to Naina's irritation, he insists on interfering in her life too…

Aman pushes Naina into doing things that she would never dream of doing. He nags her till she learns to smile. He conspires with friend Rohit [Saif Ali Khan], an eligible Manhattan bachelor, to help her find happiness.

KAL HO NAA HO is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina's journey together. How they discover themselves, find the courage to love and come together to celebrate life.

About the director –

Nikhil started with Aziz Mirza in NAYA NUKKAD, a popular television serial. He then went on to assist Sudhir Mishra in IS RAAT KI SUBAH NAHIN, for which he co-wrote the screenplay.

An old acquaintance of Karan Johar since his school days, Nikhil joined Dharma Productions in 1997 to work on KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, followed by K3G as well as Aditya Chopra's MOHABBATEIN.

KAL HO NAA HO is produced by Yash Johar, directed by Nikhil-Advani, written by Karan Johar, has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar.