Dharma Productions to Showcase 30-Year-Old Hit at Edinburgh Festival

Karan Johar accepted an invitation to screen his 1998 directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2028. The screening will mark the 30th anniversary of the film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, and Salman Khan. Johar will attend the event.

The invitation was extended during a meeting in Mumbai earlier this week. Johar hosted the session at the offices of his production company, Dharma Productions, alongside Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and David Smith, the interim executive director of Screen Scotland. The discussion focused on using Scotland as a production partner for Indian film and television. Topics included co-production deals, talent development, and cultural exchange.

Swinney stated that he was delighted Johar accepted the invitation. He noted that the movie holds a special place for communities in Scotland and elsewhere. The First Minister also highlighted the potential for Scotland to serve as a creative partner for Indian media. He cited the availability of infrastructure, expertise, and filming locations as key advantages for future collaborations.

The film follows a widower named Rahul, played by Khan, who reconnects with Anjali, played by Kajol. Anjali is Rahul's college best friend. The plot centers on her quiet affection for him before he married Tina, a role played by Mukerji. Salman Khan appears as Anjali's fiancé in the story.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was the first major Indian production to film extensively in Scotland. The crew shot scenes at Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Tantallon Castle, and Inchmahome Priory. These locations became central to the film's visual style and helped establish a link between Scottish landscapes and Bollywood cinema.

Paul Ridd, the CEO and festival director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said the organization jumped at the opportunity to celebrate the film. He described it as a legendary title featuring iconic stars and Scottish scenery. Ridd noted that the festival is currently planning its 80th edition, which will run from August 12 to August 18, 2027. Submissions for that 2027 event open in January.

The 2028 anniversary screening will occur during the festival's 81st edition. Specific dates for that year have not yet been announced. The festival operates with backing from Screen Scotland and was revived in 2024 under the leadership of Ridd and producer Emma Boa.