Karan Johar will take Kuch Kuch Hota Hai back to Scotland in 2028, when his directorial debut marks its 30th anniversary with a special screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The filmmaker is expected to attend the event, which will celebrate the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji-starrer and its lasting connection with Scottish locations.
According to Variety, Johar received the festival’s invitation earlier this week during a meeting at the Mumbai offices of his production company, Dharma Productions. He met Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and David Smith, interim executive director of Screen Scotland. Their discussions focused on Scotland’s potential as a location and creative partner for Indian film and television. They also explored production and co-production opportunities, talent development and cultural exchange.
“It was a pleasure to meet Karan Johar in Mumbai, and I am delighted that he has accepted the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s invitation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ which holds a special place in the hearts of communities across Scotland and beyond. I look forward to welcoming him to Edinburgh,” Swinney said.
During his visit to India, Swinney also met representatives of the country’s film industry, including Dharma Productions, to discuss future collaborations. He said Scotland could offer Indian productions infrastructure, industry expertise and internationally recognised filming locations.
“Scotland’s screen industry has tremendous potential as a creative partner for Indian film and television, offering the infrastructure, expertise and world-class filming locations to support a wide range of productions,” he added.
Released in 1998, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai follows Rahul, played by Shah Rukh Khan, a widower whose young daughter helps him reconnect with Anjali, portrayed by Kajol. Anjali had secretly loved Rahul during their college days, before he married Tina, played by Rani Mukerji. Salman Khan appears as Anjali’s fiancé.
The film also helped establish a lasting connection between Scotland’s landscapes and mainstream Indian cinema. Before Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, no major Indian production had filmed so extensively in the country. Johar’s crew shot at locations including Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Tantallon Castle and Inchmahome Priory. The Scottish scenery became an important part of the film’s visual identity.
The anniversary screening will bring other guests together with Johar, although organisers have yet to announce the dates for the festival’s 2028 edition.
Edinburgh International Film Festival chief executive and festival director Paul Ridd said the team wanted to begin planning the celebration well ahead of the milestone year.
“At EIFF we are always thinking about the future and what’s next. So we jumped at an opportunity like this, to plant the seeds for a celebration of a legendary, much-loved film at our festival, a film featuring Scotland and some of the most iconic stars of Bollywood cinema on screen. We can’t wait for what promises to be something truly special for our 81st edition in 2028. But in the meantime, watch this space for more news of our 80th next August,” Ridd said.
Before the 2028 celebration, the festival will mark its 80th anniversary from 12 to 18 August 2027. Submissions for that edition will open in January, with further details expected in the coming months.
The milestone screening announcement follows the festival’s revival in 2024 under Ridd and festival producer Emma Boa. Screen Scotland supports the event.
