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| Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Karan Johar |
| Written by | Karan Johar |
| Produced by | Yash Johar |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Santosh Thundiyil |
| Edited by | Sanjay Sankla |
| Music by | Jatin–Lalit |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Yash Raj Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 185 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹100 million[2] |
| Box office | est.₹1.07 billion[2] |
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (transl.Something Happens) is a 1998 IndianHindi-languageromanticcomedy-drama film written and directed byKaran Johar, in his directorial debut, and produced by his fatherYash Johar. It starsShah Rukh Khan,Kajol, andRani Mukerji.[3] Set primarily across two time periods, the narrative follows the love-triangle between college friends Rahul, Anjali, and Tina. Years later, Rahul’s young daughter attempts to reunite him with his former best friend.
The film was shot in India,Mauritius, andScotland, with Johar intending to bring a contemporary visual style to mainstreamHindi cinema. The soundtrack was composed byJatin–Lalit, with lyrics bySameer; it became the highest-selling Bollywood music album of the year.[4]
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was released theatrically on 16 October 1998, coinciding with theDiwali weekend. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its direction, performances, music, cinematography, and emotional resonance. The film was a major commercial success, emerging as thehighest-grossing Hindi film of 1998 in India and, at the time, the third highest-grossing Indian film overall.[5][6] Internationally, it became the highest-grossing Hindi film ever until the release of Johar’s subsequent directorial,Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001).[7]
The film won numerous awards, including theNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.[8] At the44th Filmfare Awards, it won eight awards, includingBest Film,Best Director, and all four acting categories (Best Actor,Best Actress,Best Supporting Actor, andBest Supporting Actress)—a distinction unmatched untilGully Boy (2019).[9][10] It also received honors at theScreen Awards,Zee Cine Awards, andBollywood Movie Awards.[11][12][13] The film remains a landmark in Hindi cinema for its cultural impact, music, and fashion influence.[14][15][16]
Rahul Khanna and Anjali Sharma are best friends in college. Unknown to Rahul, Anjali is secretly in love with him. When Tina Malhotra, the daughter of the college principal, joins the college, Rahul is instantly attracted to her. Anjali, heartbroken, leaves college and returns to her hometown. Rahul and Tina eventually get married.
During her pregnancy, Tina develops complications and realizes she will not survive. She writes eight letters to be given to her daughter on each birthday. At Tina's request, Rahul names their daughter Anjali.
Eight years later, Anjali Khanna reads the final letter, in which Tina reveals that Rahul’s college friend Anjali had loved him, and asks her daughter to reunite them. With help from her grandmother, Anjali joins a summer camp where Anjali Sharma is conducting a dance workshop. Rahul later arrives at the camp and reunites with Anjali Sharma. Initially awkward, they gradually reconnect as Anjali Khanna tries to bring them closer. Rahul realizes he has fallen in love with Anjali but does not tell her after learning she is engaged to Aman Mehra.
Anjali leaves the camp to return for her wedding. On the wedding day, Anjali Khanna goes missing, and Rahul searches for her. He finds Anjali Sharma instead and confesses his feelings. During the ceremony, Anjali is unable to continue. Aman calls off the wedding after realizing her feelings and encourages her to be with Rahul, whom she marries with their families present.
After assisting and acting inAditya Chopra'sDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995),Karan Johar was inspired to direct his own film. ForKuch Kuch Hota Hai, he aimed to reuniteShah Rukh Khan andKajol in a romance film.[17][18][19] Johar initially developed two separate storylines: one involving a college love triangle between a tomboy, a popular girl, and an insensitive boy; the other centered on a widower and his child. Dissatisfied with both, he merged them into a single narrative. In an interview withRediff.com, he explained: "It was about the trauma of a widower and his little child... Then I thought: Why not bring a youth aspect to the story? Why not a flashback? That's how the story got made."[18]
Johar cited the 1995British romantic comedyJack and Sarah as an influence for the film's second half. He also stated in his 2017 autobiographyAn Unsuitable Boy that he wanted Khan to portray a role he had not attempted before, leading to the decision to cast him as a father.[20] Others have noted thematic similarities with theTom Hanks starrerSleepless in Seattle (1993).[21]
Johar has acknowledged retrospective criticism regarding the film’s portrayal of gender roles. He recalled that actressShabana Azmi criticized a scene suggesting that a woman becomes desirable only after altering her appearance, particularly referencing Anjali's transformation when she grows her hair.[22][23]
To construct a stylish and aspirational college environment, Johar collaborated with costume designerManish Malhotra. They sourced outfits fromLondon, prominently featuring international brands such asDKNY andPolo.[24] The visual design of the college setting was heavily inspired by Western pop culture, including the television seriesBeverly Hills, 90210 and theArchie Comics. Johar instructed art directorSharmishta Roy to model the campus onRiverdale High, later stating: "Shah Rukh playsArchie, Rani Mukerji playsVeronica, and Kajol playedBetty."[25][26]
The production team includedFarah Khan as choreographer,Jatin–Lalit as music composers,Santosh Thundiyil as cinematographer, andNikkhil Advani as associate director.Shabina Khan assisted Malhotra with costume design.[27]
Johar was certain about castingShah Rukh Khan andKajol in the lead roles.[28] The role of Tina, however, proved more difficult to fill. It was initially written forTwinkle Khanna, who declined the offer.[29] Other actresses, includingAishwarya Rai,Raveena Tandon,Tabu,Urmila Matondkar,Shilpa Shetty, andKarisma Kapoor, were also approached but turned it down.[29]Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan recommendedRani Mukerji (Kajol's cousin), after watching her performance inRaja Ki Aayegi Baaraat (1996), and Johar subsequently cast her in the role.[30][31]
Mukerji later stated that she was seventeen years old during production and found portraying a mother particularly challenging. In a 2023 interview, she stated, "I was 17 years old, I played a mom inKuch Kuch Hota Hai. I was Tina. But luckily, I was a ghost mum in that film."[32] Despite limited screen time, her performance received positive attention and contributed to her early career success.
The character of Aman Mehra was initially offered toSaif Ali Khan andChandrachur Singh, both of whom declined.Salman Khan accepted the role following a meeting with Johar at the home of his sister,Alvira Khan Agnihotri. Although there were initial concerns regarding his remuneration, he eventually agreed to join the cast, completing the film's principal ensemble.[31]
Principal photography commenced on 21 August 1997 and lasted for approximately nine and a half months.[18] The film was shot across multiple international and domestic locations. The college scenes were filmed at theUniversity of Mauritius inMoka, while the summer camp sequences, set inShimla, were filmed at Wenlock Downs inOoty,Tamil Nadu.[33][34][35] The title song was shot over ten days in various scenic locations inScotland, includingEilean Donan Castle,Glen Coe,Loch Lomond, andTantallon Castle.[36][37][38][39]
Due to the relative inexperience of the crew,Shah Rukh Khan frequently assisted with technical aspects during filming. Johar later acknowledged his own limited knowledge of direction and production techniques at the time.[24] During the filming of the song "Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana",Kajol lost control of her bicycle, resulting in a fall that injured her knee and rendered her briefly unconscious. She later described the accident as her most memorable moment from the shoot, as she had no recollection of it.[40]
For the emotional reunion scene between Rahul and Anjali after eight years, Johar encouraged the actors to rehearse and improvise their reactions. He secretly recorded the rehearsal and was so impressed by the result that he included the footage in the final cut of the film.[41]
| Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 19 August 1998 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Label | Sony Music |
| Producer | Jatin–Lalit |
The soundtrack forKuch Kuch Hota Hai was composed byJatin–Lalit, with lyrics written bySameer. It marked the duo’s first collaboration with directorKaran Johar and was released bySony Music on 19 August 1998.[42] Initially, lyricistJaved Akhtar was contracted to write the songs and had completed one track, “Koi Mil Gaya.” However, upon learning the film's title, he objected, describing it as “mediocre, obscene, and vulgar.” Akhtar subsequently withdrew from the project. He later expressed regret over his decision, acknowledging the film’s popularity and cultural impact.[43]
The album became the highest-selling Bollywood soundtrack of 1998, with an estimated eight million units sold in India.[44] The title song remained on the Indian music charts for over a year, and the album peaked at number two on the Malaysian Albums Chart (RIM) in 1999.[45] Sony Music Indonesia reported additional sales of 300,000 units, bringing combined sales in India and Indonesia to approximately 8.3 million.[46]
In a 2012 audience poll conducted byNDTV, the title track was voted the most popular Hindi film song of the preceding decade. In a similar poll conducted by theBBC, the full soundtrack ranked second, behind that ofDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), which was also composed by Jatin–Lalit.[47]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Udit Narayan,Alka Yagnik | 4:56 |
| 2. | "Koi Mil Gaya" | Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik | 7:16 |
| 3. | "Saajanji Ghar Aaye" | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy | 7:14 |
| 4. | "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Sad)" | Alka Yagnik | 1:26 |
| 5. | "Raghupati Raghav" | Alka Yagnik,Shankar Mahadevan | 2:05 |
| 6. | "Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee" | Alka Yagnik,Manpreet Akhtar, Udit Narayan | 7:05 |
| 7. | "Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik | 6:23 |
| 8. | "Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana" | Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik | 6:36 |
| Total length: | 42:59 | ||
In 2002, Sony Music India also releasedKuch Kuch Hota Hai in Sinhala version.[48]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thummansaledi" (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – Title Track) | Mohini Singh,Noel Raj | 4:57 |
| 2. | "Pemphata Pura" (Koi Mil Gaya) | Anuradha Sri Ram,Noel Raj | 7:17 |
| 3. | "Banda Thoran Ran" (Saaanji Ghar Aaye) | Anuradha Perera,Sangeeth Wijesooriya | |
| 4. | "Thummansaledi" (Sad Version) | Champa Kalhari | 1:26 |
| 5. | "Hangila Ara Moko" (Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana) | Anuradha Perera,Sangeeth Wijesooriya | 6:38 |
| 6. | "Me Jeewithayen Pala Ne" (Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aaye) | Anuradha Perera,Sangeeth Wijesooriya | 6:06 |
| 7. | "Khsithija Ime" (Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai) | Anuradha Perera,Noel Raj | 5:55 |
| Total length: | 39:37 | ||
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai received generally positive reviews upon its release, with praise for its lead performances, emotional resonance, and youthful tone.
Katherine Singh ofRefinery29 described it as “a love triangle for the ages,” adding that the film “still holds up” decades later for its blend of youthful nostalgia, strong performances, and iconic fashion.[49]
In India,Nikhat Kazmi ofThe Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it a sentimental romance with “MTV ambience” and “Valentine's Day flavours.” She especially praisedKajol’s performance, while noting that “the second half gets drowned in a sea of emotions. Too many people begin to cry a bit too much.”[50]
Nandita Chowdhury ofIndia Today described the film as “slick, urbane and predictable,” but appreciatedKaran Johar’s ability to nearly recreate the chemistry ofShah Rukh Khan andKajol fromDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). She concluded it was “a good distraction” that would resonate with its target youth audience.[34]
Conversely, Sujata C. J. ofRediff.com criticized the film’s overuse of clichés and sentimental storytelling, though she praisedSantosh Thundiyil’s cinematography andSharmishta Roy’s art direction for elevating its visual appeal.[51]
Common Sense Media gave the film a favorable retrospective review, highlighting its “sweet and wholesome story of friendship and love,” though it noted that certain cultural references may be less accessible to international audiences.[52]
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1998 in both domestic and international markets. It was also the third highest-grossing Indian film of the 1990s, behindHum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) andDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995).[53][54]
According toBox Office India, the film grossed ₹80.12crore (US$19.4 million) in India and $6.3 million (₹26.61crore) overseas, for a worldwide total of approximately ₹106.7crore (US$25.7 million), against a production budget of ₹10crore (US$2.4 million). It earned ₹8.06crore (US$1.95 million) globally in its opening weekend and ₹15.13crore (US$3.7 million) in its first week.[55]
The film was released on 16 October 1998 across 240 screens, alongsideBade Miyan Chote Miyan. It collected ₹87 lakh (US$211,000) nett on its opening day and ₹2.74crore (US$664,000) nett during the opening weekend. In its first week, it earned ₹5.64crore (US$1.37 million) nett, the second-highest of the year afterBade Miyan Chote Miyan.[56]
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai went on to gross ₹46.86crore (US$11.4 million) nett in India, with a distributor share of ₹29.88crore (US$7.2 million). It was declared an "All-Time Blockbuster" byBox Office India and became thehighest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[53]
The film had a strong debut in international markets, earning $800,000 (₹3.38crore) during its opening weekend and $1.3 million (₹5.49crore) in its first week. It became the first Bollywood film to cross the $5 million mark overseas, eventually grossing $6.3 million (₹26.61crore).[57]
According to the bookGlobal Bollywood, its total overseas earnings reached $8 million.[58] It became the second Bollywood film to enter the UK box office Top 10, followingDil Se.. (1998), and grossed $2 million in the United Kingdom.[59][60] In Indonesia, the film reportedly outperformedTitanic at the Indonesian box office during its theatrical run.[61]
At the44th Filmfare Awards,Kuch Kuch Hota Hai received a leading 18 nominations and won 8 awards, includingBest Film,Best Director,Best Actor, andBest Actress.[62] It became the third film inFilmfare history to win all four top awards, followingGuide (1965) andDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Subsequent films to achieve the same distinction includeDevdas (2002),Black (2005), andGully Boy (2019).[63]
| Award | Date of the ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Awards | January 1999 | Best Film | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Won | [64] |
| Best Director | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Kajol | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedian | Archana Puran Singh | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Jatin–Lalit | Won | |||
| Filmfare Awards | 21 February 1999 | Best Film | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Won | |
| Best Director | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Kajol | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Salman Khan | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Rani Mukerji | Won | |||
| Best Performance in a Comic Role | Anupam Kher | Nominated | |||
| Archana Puran Singh | Nominated | ||||
| Johnny Lever | Nominated | ||||
| Best Music Director | Jatin–Lalit | Nominated | |||
| Best Lyricist | Sameerfor"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Nominated | |||
| Sameerfor"Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" | Nominated | ||||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Kumar Sanufor "Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" | Nominated | |||
| Udit Narayanfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Nominated | ||||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Alka Yagnikfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Nominated | |||
| Alka Yagnikfor "Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Art Direction | Sharmishta Roy | Won | |||
| Zee Cine Awards | 14 March 1999 | Best Film | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Won | [65] |
| Best Director | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Actor – Male | Shah Rukh Khan | Won | |||
| Best Actor – Female | Kajol | Won | |||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female | Rani Mukerji | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Jatin–Lalit | Won | |||
| Best Lyricist | Sameerfor"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Won | |||
| Best Playback Singer – Female | Alka Yagnikfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Won | |||
| Lux Face of the Year | Rani Mukerji(also forGhulam) | Won | |||
| Best Story | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Bollywood Movie Awards | May 1999 | Best Film | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Won | [66] |
| Best Director | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Kajol | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Jatin–Lalit | Won | |||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Udit Narayanfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Won | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Alka Yagnikfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Karan Johar | Won | |||
| Best Choreography | Farah Khanfor "Koi Mil Gaya" | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design | Manish Malhotra | Won | |||
| Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards | 17 November 1999 | Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Won | [67] |
| Best Actress | Kajol | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Rani Mukerji | Won | |||
| Best Child Artist | Sana Saeed | Won | |||
| National Film Awards | 15 February 2000 | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Won | [68] |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Alka Yagnikfor "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Won |
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai has been the subject of extensive critical analysis and cultural commentary since its release. Film critic Subhash K. Jha described it as "a simple, stylish, sensuous and ambrosial love story," highlighting the chemistry between the lead actors as "unbeatable."[69] A reviewer forTime Out Film Guide noted that while the second love triangle extended the narrative, the film's performances, cinematography, storytelling, and musical numbers were "energetically colourful."[70] In 2004, Meor Shariman ofMalay Mail called the film a “must-watch” for both Bollywood enthusiasts and newcomers.[71] Conversely, some critics have pointed out the film's portrayal of idealized characters and settings;[25] directorKaran Johar has acknowledged this, stating that the film was intended as a form of escapism.[72]
The film's enduring popularity has led to various homages in Indian cinema. The 2012 romantic comedyShirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi featured promotional materials and a musical number, "Ramba Mein Samba," that paid tribute toKuch Kuch Hota Hai.[73][74] In 2010,Time magazine included the film in its list of "Five Essential Bollywood Movies to Netflix," recognizing its significance in the genre.[75] CriticShubhra Gupta also featured the film in her book50 Films That Changed Bollywood, 1995–2015, citing its impact on the industry's narrative and stylistic approaches.[76]
In 2018, Johar hosted a commemorative event inMumbai to commemorate the 20th anniversary ofKuch Kuch Hota Hai, attended by lead actorsShah Rukh Khan,Kajol, andRani Mukerji. During the event, the cast shared memories from the production, and Khan humorously admitted that he initially found the script confusing but agreed to do the film out of faith in Johar’s vision.[77][78]
Johar had expressed interest in creating an animated adaptation of the film; however, as of October 2012, the project was placed on indefinite hold due to the limited success of animated films in the Indian market.[79]
In January 2023,IndieWire rankedKuch Kuch Hota Hai as the topromantic comedy available onNetflix globally, ahead of titles likeScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) andNotting Hill (1999). Critics Kate Erbland and Alison Foreman described it as "a bittersweet and bubbly story of young love, missed opportunity, and female friendship," noting its memorable "romanticgazebo scene."[80]
The film is frequently cited as a cultural touchstone in Hindi cinema, influencing fashion trends, musical compositions, and contemporary romantic storytelling. It was ranked 46th inTime Out's list of "The 100 Best Bollywood Movies," praised as "a landmark of '90s Bollywood" for its emotional depth and widespread appeal.[81] In a 2012 audience poll byNDTV, the title track was voted the most popular Hindi film song of the preceding decade, while aBBC poll ranked the soundtrack second among Bollywood albums, followingDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995).[47]
The film was subsequently released onVHS andDVD formats in India and overseas markets. ABlu-ray edition was issued on 19 February 2011, containing a restored print in 1080p resolution andDTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound.[82]
With the expansion of digital platforms, the film became available for streaming and online rental. As of 2025,Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is offered onNetflix andAmazon Prime Video, and is also available for purchase through Apple TV.[83][84][85]
Then I thought, what have I not seen of Shah Rukh? It struck me that I had not seen him as a father. Sometime back I had seen an English film, Jack and Sarah. It was a British film, where this man loses his wife when she's delivering their baby, and he is left with his child whom he doesn't want initially, but eventually builds a bond with. He then falls in love with another girl.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge are 'must watch' for every Bollywood fan. In fact, viewers seeking an introduction to Bollywood should also check them out.
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