Dharma Productions Marks 28 Years of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Synopsis
Dharma Productions marks 28 years of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai on 16 October 2026, celebrating Karan Johar's debut film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as a timeless ode to love and friendship, now streaming on Prime Video.
Key Takeaways
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was released on 16 October 1998 and celebrates its 28th anniversary today.
The film was Karan Johar's directorial debut and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1998.
It starred Shah Rukh Khan , Kajol , and Rani Mukerji in lead roles.
Dharma Productions marked the occasion on X, describing the film as 'an ode to everything pyaar and dosti.' The film is currently available to stream on Prime Video , with Dharma linking the anniversary post directly to its listing.
Twenty-eight years ago on 16 October 1998, a first-time director walked onto a set and changed Hindi cinema forever. Today, Dharma Productions marked the anniversary of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with a heartfelt tribute on X, calling it 'our ode to everything pyaar and dosti' — love and friendship — as the iconic film continues to live on Prime Video.
The film that launched a blockbuster legacy
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was the directorial debut of Karan Johar, the filmmaker who now helms Dharma Productions as its chief creative force. Released on 16 October 1998, the romantic comedy-drama became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of that year — a staggering achievement for a debut feature. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul, Kajol as Anjali, and Rani Mukerji in a pivotal role, forming a triangle that audiences across generations have never quite let go of.
Why '90s Dharma films refuse to fade
Indian production houses have made anniversary social media moments an art form — but few catalysts are as potent as this one. The film's blend of college nostalgia, friendship, and romance landed in a cultural sweet spot that the 1990s Bollywood era uniquely owned, and the numbers from its streaming life suggest that pull hasn't dimmed. Dharma's decision to anchor the anniversary post to its Prime Video listing is a textbook move: nostalgia drives streams, and streams keep a catalogue warm for the next generation of fans discovering it for the first time.
Karan Johar's debut, 28 years on
For Karan Johar, the anniversary carries particular personal weight — this is the film that made him. What began as a debut has since grown into a filmography that spans decades and a production house that remains one of Bollywood's most influential. Dharma's tribute today is as much a quiet acknowledgement of that origin story as it is a celebration for fans. The studio's message is simple and unembellished: twenty-eight years later, this film still means something.
The chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol that Kuch Kuch Hota Hai crystallised on screen remains a benchmark that Hindi cinema still measures romantic pairings against — and that, perhaps, is the real staying power.
Point of View
Whose directorial career has evolved significantly since 1998, the film remains an unassailable brand asset. It signals that in an era of rapid franchise churn, a single timeless story can outperform entire sequel slates in cultural longevity.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released?
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was released on 16 October 1998, making 2026 its 28th anniversary.
Who directed Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
Karan Johar directed the film as his debut feature. He also produced it under the Dharma Productions banner.
Who starred in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles.
Where can I watch Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 2026?
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is available to stream on Prime Video, as mentioned by Dharma Productions in their anniversary post.
Why is Kuch Kuch Hota Hai significant in Bollywood history?
It was Karan Johar's directorial debut and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1998, cementing the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol pairing as a gold standard for Hindi romantic cinema.
