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Kal Ho Naa Ho...

"Kal Ho Naa Ho" tries to tell us that we don’t have time – a lesson that we possibly learn only once in a lifetime but conveniently forget every day. It measures the spectrum end-to-end, from "chaav" to "dhoop" just to ask us to not rely on second chances to experience first-hand emotions. And in driving this message home, it places under the microscope, feelings that are perhaps the most universal in nature – love and regrets.

Simply because it knows that to experience one is to experience another.

It moves away from the belief that love can just be a product of circumstances. Love needs effort and it needs it every day. This song yearns to do the right thing and that is to learn how to fight for love because if love is not worth putting up a struggle for, then what is?

But, this song, just like it knows when to hold on, also knows when to let go. Even if it has to be with the eyes brimming and the heart, full. And that’s my favourite part about the sad, melancholic version of the song, because it really, truly understands love without confusing it with togetherness or possession. Without forcing itself in places it is not meant to be in.

It knows both the sense of submission in

"lakh sambhalo paagal dil ko
dil dhadke hee jaye"

and the sense of acceptance in

"dil ko hai gham kyon
aankh hai nam kyon
hona hi tha jo hua hai"

"Kal Ho Naa Ho" is a friend. But the one who is always either showing the mirror or giving a hug. It knows that it doesn’t matter what you say unless you know how to say it. That is why "Kal Ho Naa Ho" never sounds like a threat or a warning.

It cares and it shows.

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