Kareena, Salman, SRK Celebrate 20 Years of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’

SRK, Kajol and Rani spoke about their memories of making the film with Karan Johar.

Karan Johar, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji at the celebration.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Dharma Productions celebrated the 20th anniversary of their era-defining classic Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with a grand celebration on the night of 16th October. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or KKHH as it is also known was the directorial debut of Karan Johar. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji and well the rest is history.

Here are the highlights from the evening:

The event was kicked off by multiple stars fondly remembering their relationship with the KKHH. Alia Bhatt appeared via a recorded message to speak about watching the film as a child. She was 8 then and said that the film made her believe in the purity of friendship and love.

Rapper Badshah came on stage to speak about the legendary music of the film. The music of the film had been composed by duo Jatin-Lalit and became one of the highest selling albums of the time.

Dharma’s latest ‘It’ jodi Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor recreated one of KKHH’s signature moments between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol - the handshake and clap every time they met in the film.

Twinkle Khanna joked about rejecting the film and how it was “the best gift” she could give Karan. He had initially offered her Tina’s role and was quite dejected by her refusal. In fact, about eight actresses had said no to the film, and on Aditya Chopra’s suggestion Karan offered the film to Rani Mukerji. Twinkle said,

My mother once told me that the best thing about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was my absence. Everytime I tell my husband about his film choices he shuts me up by saying ‘You refused Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. And Rani my dear, I made your career!

Salman Khan called straight from the sets of Bigg Boss to talk about his memorable cameo in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

“Karan Johar met my sister Alvira and he told her that ‘It’s my first film and I have signed Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan. There is a small but important role for which I am looking for a star but I am not finding any star to play that part’.” So my sister Alvira told me that ‘He is a really good guy. It’s his first film and you should help him in his first film’. After that, Karan Johar met me at party that time, I told him that I will do it for my sister, Yash (Johar) uncle, Hiroo (Johar) aunty, Karan Johar and Shah Rukh, and that’s how I became a part of the film.”

He even took a jibe at Karan and said, “Someday...please work with me again yaar.”

Kareena Kapoor came on the stage to talk about how much she loves Karan. She said,

Karan has been an anchor in my life whether it was emotionally or for my career, he’s also my partner in crime. He has written his own introduction and obviously praised himself but the truth is that Karan Johar is quite simply the best!

This lead to the moment every one had been waiting for: Karan Johar’ triumphant entrance after which he invited on stage the stars of the film Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji.

SRK revealed what he thought about the story when Karan first came to him and what convinced him to do the film.

Rani Mukerji spoke about how special the film was to her career and how welcome she felt despite being a newcomer.

Shah Rukh then talked about his favourite memory from making KKHH.

The evening ended with Karan calling the entire cast and crew of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai on stage for an epic final photograph.