Karan Johar’s 1998 debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, will return to the country that shaped much of its visual identity. The Edinburgh International Film Festival has invited Johar to attend a special 30th-anniversary screening during its 81st edition in 2028, and he has accepted.
The invitation came during a meeting this week at Dharma Productions’ Mumbai office. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Screen Scotland interim executive director David Smith met Johar to discuss potential collaboration between the Scottish and Indian screen industries, including co-productions, talent development and cultural exchange.
Why Scotland matters to the film
Released in 1998, the romantic drama follows Rahul, a widower whose young daughter helps him reconnect with Anjali, the college friend who had long loved him. But for many viewers, the film’s landscapes are as memorable as its story.
The production filmed at several locations across Scotland, including:
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Glen Coe
- Tantallon Castle
- Inchmahome Priory
No major Indian production before Kuch Kuch Hota Hai had filmed as widely across Scotland. That history has made the anniversary screening more than a nostalgic one-off; it is being framed as a cultural and economic bridge between the two industries.
Swinney said the film “holds a special place in the hearts of communities across Scotland and beyond,” and he welcomed Johar to Edinburgh. He also argued Scotland’s screen industry has “tremendous potential as a creative partner for Indian film and television,” citing infrastructure, expertise and locations.
The festival’s long runway
EIFF is planning the tribute well in advance. The 2028 dates are not yet set, but festival CEO Paul Ridd said the team “jumped at an opportunity” to celebrate a “legendary, much-loved film” that features Scotland and some of Bollywood’s most iconic stars. Other guests are expected to join the anniversary screening.
Before then, EIFF will mark its 80th edition from 12 to 18 August 2027; submissions open in January. The planned celebration follows the festival’s revival in 2024 under Ridd and producer Emma Boa, with backing from Screen Scotland.
Source: The Times of India
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