Cult Bollywood blockbuster to celebrate 30th anniversary Edinburgh International Film Festival

The 90s rom-com was partly filmed in Scotland and will return to the cinema in 2028 for its 30th anniversary

A Bollywood cult film will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

The festival, which runs every year in August, announced KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI will return to the big screen in Edinburgh as part of its 2028 edition.

Partly filmed in Scotland, the return will celebrate the rom-com’s enduring legacy in Indian cinema, with director Karan Johar and other guests in attendance.

Karan Johar was invited to mark KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI’s 30th anniversary at the EIFF in 2028 during a meeting he hosted in the Mumbai offices of his production company, Dharma Productions, earlier this week with the First Minister John Swinney and Screen Scotland’s Interim Executive Director David Smith.

Iconic Bollywood film KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI was partly filmed in Scotlandplaceholder image
Iconic Bollywood film KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI was partly filmed in Scotland | Edinburgh International Film Festival

The meeting focused on Scotland’s potential as a destination and partner for Indian film and television production.

KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI was the first major Indian production to film extensively across Scotland, including Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Tantallon Castle and Inchmahome Priory.

Scottish landscapes are an important part of the film’s visual identity, and established a lasting connection between Scottish landscapes and Indian popular cinema.

First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a pleasure to meet Karan Johar in Mumbai, and I am delighted that he has accepted the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s invitation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of KUCH KUCH KOTA HAI which holds a special place in the hearts of communities across Scotland and beyond.

“I look forward to welcoming him to Edinburgh. During my visit to India, I met with people from the Indian film industry, including representatives from Dharma Productions, to discuss opportunities for future collaboration between Scottish and Indian filmmaking.

“Scotland’s screen industry has tremendous potential as a creative partner for Indian film and television, offering the infrastructure, expertise and world-class filming locations to support a wide range of productions.”

EIFF CEO andFestival Director Paul Ridd said: “At EIFF we are always thinking about the future and what’s next.

“So we jumped at an opportunity like this, to plant the seeds for a celebration of a legendary, much-loved film at our Festival, a film featuring Scotland and some of the most iconic stars of Bollywood cinema on screen.

“We can’t wait for what promises to be something truly special for our 81st edition in 2028. But in the meantime, watch this space for more news of our 80th next August.”

Further details on the 2027 Festival will be announced in the coming months.

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