Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 23rd Anniversary: Intriguing facts about the Shah Rukh Khan starrer

A peek into the curtains of 1998 from when Karan Johar brought out the Bollywood high-school rom-com flick.

23 years of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

The year is 1998 and on October 16, came out a movie that created a shift in the paradigm of high school rom-com movies in Bollywood. The deadly combination of Shah Rukh Khan-Karan Johar-Kajol-Rani Mukherjee is one that remains unbeatable even today. As we all know Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH) is a movie no matter how fictionalised it is, creates a heart-warming feeling in us of the meet-cute romance that is brought out by the Bollywood Badshah. Adding Kajol and Rani to the mix peaks the romance bar to the maximum.

Talking about one of the most ultimate rom-com stories, there were certain instances that will intrigue you and make you wonder if all these happened during the KKHH era. Here are some deets that will make you go “Wow, did this really happen back then?”

1) The idea behind throuple of KKHH

It is a known fact that the dashing trio created a line of other Bollywood movies that cantered on a love triangle. The inspiration hit Karan Johar from one of the famous high-school comics of all time- Archie Comics. The dots can be easily connected, that tones of Archie could be found in SRK, Betty can be found in Kajol and Veronica could be found in Rani. The jovial professor from the comics, Mr Weatherbee could only be portrayed by none other than Anupam Kher himself. Even the art director Sharmishta Roy was told to get inspired by the sets of the tv show Beverly Hills 90210 and Archie comics for setting up the college in the movie.

2) Two storylines combined under one movie

We know that the first half was focusing on Rahul’s love for Tina and Anjali’s love for Rahul. The second half however was designed to be a different storyline where Rahul realises his love for Anjali and the rest is history. They were ultimately combined together sequentially as one, which was like, ‘the best of both worlds.’

3) Special mention by Times Magazine

KKHH was so impactful for the viewers, that Times Magazine insisted that the high school rom-com be added to the list of 5 essential Bollywood movies that should be available on Netflix.

4) First preference for the roles of Anjali, Tina and Aman

Ultimately things turned out great when Kajol, Rani and Salman Khan were cast in the roles of Anjali, Tina and Aman respectively. Initially though, during the casting process, Juhi Chawla was considered to portray the tomboy-turned-dame Anjali. The playful character of Aman however was initially designed to go to Saif Ali Khan before ultimately landing on the lap of the Bhai himself. Tina on the other hand was in talks to be played by Twinkle Khanna (who inspired KJo to design the character), Tabu, Shilpa Shetty and the list went on until it came to none other than the gorgeous Rani herself.

5) The ever-famous Tum Paas Aaye was written in the shower

They say all great things pop into our minds only in weird situations, like in the shower for instance. Similarly for Jugal Hansraj, who composed the trademark music for the Dharma Productions and for Tum Paas Aaye the area where the inspiration happened was under the shower.

6) Method acting of Sana Saeed

Sana Saeed who played the sweet Junior Anjali and the daughter of Rahul and Tina refused to use glycerine for her crying scenes. Ultimately Karan Johar ended up being mean to her while filming to naturally tingle her tear ducts.

7) The concept of the saree-flying scene of Anjali in the song, Ladki Badi Anjani Hai

Another of the many iconic moments in the movie was the saree flying scene of Kajol during the song which was a catalyst in the realisation of the love between Anjali and Rahul. Normally, behind every epic moment or a movie scene, is a comical story or anecdote. Similarly, this scene started out as a joke between the choreographer Farah Khan and KJo. Even Kajol, who was enacting the scene, found it inane. Ultimately, it turned out to be an iconic and epic moment in the movie.

8) Story behind Rahul’s iconic polo T-Shirt from the song ‘Koi Mil Gaya’

The popular T-shirt worn by SRK in the song was initially debated by KJo and dress designer Manish Malhotra, on whether to buy it or not. the cost of it back then was 75 pounds. The discussion on getting it went on till three hours before ultimately, they ended up getting it. Lucky for them, it turned out to be a hit among the audience. The actor even admitted once that he was embarrassed in wearing such tight t-shirts, regardless of how much of a rage it was during the time of its release.

9) Facts of the ‘Tussi jaa rahe ho’ boy

The cute little boy who said this famous line in the movie was portrayed by the child actor, Parzaan Dastur. Interestingly, the voice behind this line was another child artist, Kaivalya Chheda and not the former. SRK meanwhile was so moved by Parzaan that he used to dress his son Aryan Khan up in the same attire as the actor and brought him to the sets.

10) Several emotions that went down during every heartfelt moment in the movie

KJo, while filming the reunion scene of Rahul and Anjali at the summer camp got so emotional that he ended up in tears. He was moved by the equation that was shared by SRK and Kajol and how it was incorporated as Rahul and Anjali on screen and was moved to tears. Similarly, Kajol was also moved to tears during the climax scene when she watched the close-up shots of SRK as Rahul crying in every scene. The latter even was not pleased after watching the movie entirely for the first time, especially the climax as it involved buckets of tears that were shed in the movie.

11) Magic behind the basketball scene between Rahul and Anjali

As the flashback for Anjali’s story started in the movie, the first thing which comes to our mind is the basketball game that was played between the duo. Although, while filming for the iconic scene the actors used trampolines to make those huge jumps that touch the basket. Ultimately, even the quirkiest of ideas can be performed to maintain the authenticity of acting in a movie scene.

12) The idea behind the hook-step in the song ‘Saajanji Ghar Aaye’

Every time we listen to the chartbuster engagement song of KKHH, our hands will automatically form the hook-step and groove to the beats of the song. The idea to implement the step in the song was brought out by the late director Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela Chopra. The step could be originally found in the popular Punjabi wedding song, ‘Hum Ghar Saajan Aaye’.

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