Kajol recreates Anjali look as 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' turns 28
Synopsis
Twenty-eight years after 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' changed Bollywood forever, Kajol stepped back into Anjali's red jacket — and the internet melted all over again. Karan Johar's nostalgic video and Kajol's deadpan caption proved the film's characters haven't just aged; they've become permanent fixtures of the Indian cultural imagination.
Key Takeaways
'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' completed 28 years since its release on 16 October 2024 .
Kajol recreated her Anjali look in a red jacket with short hair and minimal makeup for the anniversary.
Director Karan Johar shared a nostalgic video on Instagram featuring behind-the-scenes clips and iconic dialogues from the film.
The original cast featured Shah Rukh Khan , Kajol , Rani Mukerji , and Salman Khan .
The film's soundtrack by Jatin-Lalit includes classics like 'Koi Mil Gaya' and 'Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai' .
Bollywood's beloved classic 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' marked 28 years since its release on 16 October 2024, prompting lead actress Kajol to revisit her iconic role as Anjali with a playful modern recreation that quickly captured fan attention. The film, which co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, remains one of Hindi cinema's most enduring love stories.
Kajol's Anjali Reimagined
Kajol shared a set of photographs posing in a red jacket with short hair and minimal makeup — a nod to Anjali's signature sporty aesthetic from the original film. The images offered fans a fun, imaginative glimpse of what the beloved character might look like nearly three decades on. Her caption was characteristically witty: 'Can magic ever be recreated? Here's Anjali a couple of years later.'
The post resonated instantly with fans who grew up watching Anjali's journey from tomboy best friend to leading lady, underscoring the film's lasting cultural grip on Indian audiences.
Karan Johar's Tribute on Instagram
Director Karan Johar, for whom 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' was his debut feature, also marked the occasion with an emotional video on his Instagram account. The clip opened with Shah Rukh Khan's much-quoted dialogue 'Pyaar dosti hai' and wove together behind-the-scenes moments of Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji on set alongside the film's musical sequences.
The video closed with another iconic line: 'Hum ek baar jeete hain, ek baar marte hain, shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai, aur pyaar bhi ek baar hota hai.' Johar captioned it, 'Our ode to everything pyaar and dosti — Happy #28YearsOfKuchKuchHotaHai to all of us!' He also dropped a separate Instagram Story with a simple '28 years' and a row of heart emoticons.
The Film and Its Legacy
'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' featured Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul, Kajol as Anjali, Rani Mukerji as Tina, and Salman Khan in the supporting role of Aman. It was the first directorial outing of Karan Johar and went on to become a defining moment in late-1990s Bollywood, shaping the aesthetic of an entire generation of Hindi rom-coms.
The film's soundtrack, composed by Jatin-Lalit, produced several chart-toppers including 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Koi Mil Gaya', and 'Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai' — songs that continue to appear on nostalgia playlists decades later.
Why the Milestone Resonates
Few Bollywood films have sustained the kind of cross-generational recall that 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' commands. Released in 1998, it arrived at a moment when multiplex culture was nascent and a single blockbuster could define an era. Its college-campus romance, colour-saturated visuals, and quotable dialogues have kept it alive in memes, reels, and pop culture references long after its theatrical run ended.
As the film enters its 29th year, anniversary celebrations like these signal that the 'KKHH' universe may yet have a fresh chapter — whether through official sequels, OTT revisits, or simply the enduring affection of fans who refuse to let its characters age.
Point of View
Self-deprecating, and precisely the kind of content that algorithms amplify and fans archive. Karan Johar, who has spent years reinventing himself as an auteur and talk-show host, here returns to the project that defines his cultural identity more than any that followed. The anniversary is also a reminder that KKHH arrived before the internet democratised fandom, which makes its staying power — measured in memes, Reels, and wedding playlists — all the more striking.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years has 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' completed?
'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' completed 28 years since its original release in 1998, with the anniversary falling on 16 October 2024. The film remains one of the most celebrated Hindi romantic dramas ever made.
What did Kajol do to mark the 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' anniversary?
Kajol shared photographs recreating her iconic Anjali look from the film, wearing a red jacket with short hair and minimal makeup. She paired the images with a humorous caption referencing how the character might appear today.
How did Karan Johar celebrate the 28th anniversary of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'?
Karan Johar posted a nostalgic video on Instagram featuring behind-the-scenes moments with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji, along with the film's iconic dialogues and musical sequences. He also shared an Instagram Story simply marking '28 years' with heart emoticons.
Who starred in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'?
The film starred Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul, Kajol as Anjali, Rani Mukerji as Tina, and Salman Khan in a supporting role as Aman. It was directed by Karan Johar and was his debut feature film.
Who composed the music for 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'?
The film's soundtrack was composed by Jatin-Lalit and included popular tracks such as 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Koi Mil Gaya', and 'Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai', all of which became chartbusters and remain nostalgic favourites.
