Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: Revisiting some of the iconic moments of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer

More than two decades ago, today was the day that changed the paradigm of romance in Bollywood movies. Time has flown by so quickly and it has already been 23 years since Shah Rukh Khan donned the trademark tight polo sports t-shirt and the black and red hoodie while playing basketball with Kajol. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH), which marked the debut direction of Karan Johar, is still etched in the minds of all the fans of the Bollywood Badshah. No matter how filmy or unrealistic the rom-com looks in today’s perspective, it has set up camp in the hearts of all of us as one of the iconic movies ever made in Bollywood. OTTplay celebrates the 23rd anniversary of the ever popular film by revisiting some of the memorable moments in it.

1) The high-school speech of junior Anjali

One of the heartfelt moments in the movie was when choti Anjali’s (portrayed by Sana Saeed) voice croaked while giving a speech in school about her mother Tina. The moment where Rahul comes up to the stage and gives an emotional speech about mother is a memorable one, thanks to the soul-touching background tune which accompanies it.

2) The basketball scene featuring Rahul vs Anjali

Undoubtedly one of the unforgettable scenes in the movie is the dashing intro of tomboy Anjali. The epic basketball match between her and Rahul is still an enjoyable sequence. This scene also features some of the popular dialogues that is still referred to, even today - like ‘I don’t like jokes, followed by I don’t like you’ or ‘Rahul is a cheater’ followed by ‘Anjali, mujhe cheater mat bulao’ (don’t call me a cheater). The witty banter of Rahul and Anjali that was brought out by SRK and Kajol is a natural one and is unmatchable.

3) The love shared between Tina and her daughter through the letters

Although junior Anjali did not get the experience of growing up with mother’s love, it was brought out to her through Tina’s letters-one for every birthday of hers. We get to see shades of Tina as a mother here, more than her high-school popular girl avatar that swept away Rahul.

4) The rapport between Rahul and Anjali and SRK and Kajol

Every time we watch a movie of SRK and Kajol, we are always hit with something refreshing, no matter how many years have passed. Be it DDLJ or My Name is Khan, the chemistry between them is a natural one that is unparalleled. Similarly, when we watch the scenes between Rahul and Anjali, every scene between them, ranging from their trademark handshake or their witty banter is something that can be watched on a constant loop.

5) Charades game at the camp

Another iconic scene in the movie is the hilarious dumb-charades game played between Rahul and Anjali with the children. The recreation of different iconic scenes from other movies like ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’ and Urmila’s trademark dance step done by Anjali kept the scene quite engaging.

6) When Rahul reaches out to his daughter through Neelam

No matter how strict Rahul could be on choti Anjali when refraining her from going to the camp, he was forlorn when she went with her grandmother against his wishes. But this didn’t stop him from reaching out to her through her favourite talk-show of Neelam. It was also one of the catalytic moments in the movie, for Anjali came to realise that the choti Anjali in her camp was actually her best friends’ daughter.

7) When Rahul and Anjali danced under the rain

One of the most thrilling moments in the movie and even in the history of Bollywood is the dance by Rahul and Anjali in the gazebo under the rain. It was such an impactful one, that it is still being recreated years after it first came out. SRK’s romance is another factor to this equation that is unmatched till now.

8) Special appearance of Salman Khan as Aman

Though a brief one, Sallu Bhai’s special appearance in the movie made a mark in the list of the best special appearances made in Bollywood movies. His character was also considered to be the most beloved one in the movie, for many were blown over by his playful persona and charisma. Scenes between him and SRK in the movie at the telephone booth, or him shaking his leg with Kajol in ‘Saajanji Ghar Aaye’ is a noteworthy one.