Break Ke Baad

''Break Ke Baad'' () is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by Danish Aslam and produced by Kunal Kohli under the banner of Kunal Kohli Productions. It stars Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan, with supporting performances from Shahana Goswami, Yudhishtr Urs, Sharmila Tagore, Navin Nischol (in his final film role), and Lillete Dubey. The narrative centers on Abhay and Aaliya, childhood friends turned lovers, who navigate a complex phase in their relationship following a breakup that challenges their understanding of love, independence, and personal growth.

Principal photography took place primarily in Mauritius, with additional scenes shot in India. The music was composed by Vishal–Shekhar, marking their first collaboration with lyricist Prasoon Joshi. The soundtrack was released on 15 October 2010.

Released theatrically on 26 November 2010, ''Break Ke Baad'' received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising the lead pair’s chemistry and performances while noting weaknesses in the narrative structure. The film opened to an average response at the domestic box office and ultimately grossed approximately ₹19.5 crore (US$4.4 million) worldwide against a reported budget of ₹18 crore (US$4.1 million). A mobile video game based on the film was released by Jump Games as part of its promotional campaign.

Plot

Abhay Gulati and Aaliya Khan, childhood friends, have contrasting personalities—Abhay is dependable and values stability, while Aaliya is ambitious and seeks independence. Aaliya, inspired by her mother, Ayesha Khan, a former actress, aspires to build a career in acting. After Aaliya's father abandons the family, she becomes even more determined to chart her own path. Although Abhay and Aaliya eventually begin a romantic relationship, their differing goals lead to tension—particularly when Aaliya refuses the idea of marriage.

Aaliya receives an offer to study acting in Australia and chooses to pursue it. Initially staying with her strict aunt, she later moves into a shared house with a group of young tenants. Abhay, increasingly insecure and mistrustful, travels to Australia unannounced, which frustrates Aaliya. Their relationship deteriorates, and they break up. Abhay decides to stay in Australia and channels his energy into opening a restaurant, which becomes successful.

Over time, Abhay and Aaliya rebuild their friendship. Aaliya completes acting school, while Abhay gains his father's reluctant approval for his professional choices. When Aaliya secures a film role, she signs the contract without informing her mother, leading to a fallout. Abhay criticizes Aaliya for being self-centered and ends their relationship. Realizing her mistake and craving her mother's support, Aaliya quits the film and returns to India to reconcile. Ayesha comes to understand her daughter’s emotional growth and encourages her to pursue the acting opportunity.

Aaliya returns to Australia for the film shoot and reconnects with Abhay, who claims to have moved on. Later, she learns he is getting married and is hurt that he did not tell her. Confronting him at his house, she confesses her love and proposes with the same ring he once intended for her. Abhay reveals his wedding invitation—with Aaliya’s name—indicating he always planned to marry her. They reunite, and the credits show them married with a daughter named Sara.

Cast

* Deepika Padukone as Aaliya Khan / Aaliya Abhay Gulati aka Al
* Ziyah Vastani as Young Aaliya
* Imran Khan as Abhay Gulati / Gelato
* Namit Shah as Young Abhay
* Parzaan Dastur as Teenage Abhay
* Sharmila Tagore as Ayesha Khan, Aaliya's mother
* Shahana Goswami as Nadia "Nads"
* Yudhishtar Urs as Cyrus
* Lillete Dubey as Pammi Gulati, Abhay's aunt
* Naveen Nischol as Jeet Gulati, Abhay's father
* Suparna Marwah as Khaala, Ayesha's sister
* Divyaalakshmi as Preeti Gulati
* Rohan Mantri as Jai
* Neelu Kohli as Kamal Gulati, Abhay's mother
* Shankar Sachdev as Javed Bhai
* Gaurav Nanda as Theatre Director
* Kamlesh Ojha as Rishabh Malhotra
* Manish Naidu as Daniel Trip
* Nyesha Arora as Sara Gulati, Abhay and Aaliya's daughter

Soundtrack

Release

''Break Ke Baad'' was released theatrically in India on 26 November 2010. The film was distributed by Reliance BIG Pictures and marked the directorial debut of Danish Aslam. Its release followed a promotional campaign that highlighted the lead pair’s chemistry and contemporary relationship themes.

Reception

Box office

''Break Ke Baad'' was released theatrically on 26 November 2010 across approximately 875 screens in India. The film opened to a moderate response, earning ₹2.8 crore nett on its first day. Over its opening weekend, it collected ₹10.45 crore nett domestically. The first-week total stood at ₹15.18 crore nett, with the film concluding its domestic run with a total nett collection of ₹17.5 crore and a gross of ₹23.62 crore.

Internationally, the film garnered approximately $1.2 million (₹5.41 crore), with notable performances in the United States and Canada, where it grossed $430,000, and in the United Kingdom, where it earned £175,000.

The worldwide gross for ''Break Ke Baad'' amounted to approximately ₹29.03 crore.

Critical reception

''Break Ke Baad'' received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with particular praise directed at Deepika Padukone’s performance.

Sukanya Venkatraghavan of ''Filmfare'' described the film as "possibly the best love story we have seen all this year and maybe last year too," highlighting its emotional resonance. Rajeev Masand commented that director Danish Aslam made "a respectable debut with a reasonably engaging film." Anupama Chopra echoed these sentiments, describing Padukone's performance as "her best to date."

Conversely, some critics expressed reservations. Taran Adarsh of ''Bollywood Hungama'' noted that despite the engaging presence of Padukone and Imran Khan, the film was hampered by "a faulty and an unpersuasive screenplay," which he identified as a major shortcoming.
''Bollywood Hungama''

Accolades

References

External links

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2010s Hindi-language films
2010s Indian films
2010 directorial debut films
Films scored by Vishal–Shekhar
Indian romantic comedy films
2010 romantic comedy films
2010 films
Films set in Australia
Films shot in Australia
Films about Bollywood
Films adapted for other media
Indian-Australian films