Kareeb(1998)
'Kareeb' is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language romance drama film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The lead cast includes Bobby Deol as Birju and Shabana Raza as Neha, with supporting roles by Abhay Chopra and Moushumi Chatterjee. The story follows Birju, a young man who falls in love with Neha, a woman already engaged to a wealthy suitor. Set in a small town, the film explores the conflict between personal desire and family duty. 'Kareeb' was noted for its emotional storytelling and music, though it underperformed at the box office, earning around ₹12.93 crore. The film was released on 17 July 1998.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Prime Video, Ultra Play
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1998
- Director
- Vidhu Vinod Chopra
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 35m
- Rating
- 4.7/10
Storyline
Birju, a simple young man, falls in love with Neha at first sight. But Neha is already engaged to a rich man. Birju must fight his own family, Neha's family, and society to win her heart. Can love conquer all?
“Love that comes close to your heart.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew





Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Kareeb
Cast reunions in this film: Bobby Deol & Anu Malik (3 films together), Shammi Kapoor & Anu Malik (3 films together), Sushma & Shammi Kapoor (2 films together), and Sushma & Vidhu Vinod Chopra (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Kareeb' means 'close' or 'nearby' in Hindi, reflecting the theme of emotional proximity.
- Vidhu Vinod Chopra initially planned to cast Aamir Khan, but the role eventually went to Bobby Deol.
- The movie was a major box office failure, ending Vidhu Vinod Chopra's long break from directing.
- Neha, played by Neha, made her acting debut in this film and did not act in movies again.
- The soundtrack by Shiv-Hari became popular, especially the song 'Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili'.
- Some scenes were shot in picturesque locations in Himachal Pradesh, like Manali.
- The story is set in a small hill town, which was a shift from typical urban Bollywood settings at the time.