50 Years of Kabhi Kabhie: From Amitabh Bachchan to Neetu Singh, A Nostalgic Look at the Cast Then and Now

Released in 1976, Kabhi Kabhie is one of Bollywood’s most timeless romantic dramas. Directed by Yash Chopra, the film featured an iconic ensemble including Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Neetu Singh. The film beautifully portrayed love, longing, and relationships across generations, while its soulful music and poetic storytelling left a lasting impact. As it completes 50 years, Kabhi Kabhie continues to be celebrated as a classic that still resonates with audiences today.

In Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Amitabh Bachchan played Amitabh “Amit” Malhotra, a young and intense poet whose love story became one of Bollywood’s most memorable romances. He was in his early 30s at the time, bringing a quiet charm and emotional depth to the role. Now at 83, Amitabh Bachchan continues to rule the screen with the same dedication and energy, proving that true stardom only grows stronger with time.

In Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Rakhee Gulzar played Pooja Khanna, the film’s central female lead who begins as a college student in love with poet Amit Malhotra but later marries Vijay Khanna to honor her parents’ wishes. She was just 28 at the time of the film’s release and is now 78. Representing the younger generation, Neetu Singh portrayed Pinky Kapoor, the adopted daughter of Dr. R.P. Kapoor, whose romance with Vicky unfolds key family secrets. Neetu was only 17 then and is now 67, marking a remarkable journey across five decades.

In the 1976 classic Kabhi Kabhie, directed by Yash Chopra, real-life uncle and nephew Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor shared the screen for the first time as father and son. Shashi Kapoor played Vijay Khanna, a cheerful and progressive architect married to Pooja (Rakhee), while Rishi Kapoor portrayed Vikram “Vicky” Khanna, their spirited son whose romance with Pinky (Neetu Singh) brings hidden family secrets to light. Shashi Kapoor passed away on December 4, 2017, and Rishi Kapoor on April 30, 2020, but their memorable performances continue to live on in cinematic history

In Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Waheeda Rehman played Anjali “Anju” Malhotra, the wife of Amit Malhotra, whose past and the secret of her daughter Pinky form an emotional core of the story. Around 38 years old at the time, she delivered a graceful and layered performance. Parikshit Sahni portrayed Dr. R.P. Kapoor, Pinky’s foster father, who raised her with his wife as their own child; he was approximately 32 then. Today, Waheeda Rehman is 88 and Parikshit Sahni is 82, marking a remarkable journey decades after the film’s release.