Edinburgh Film Festival: 30th Anniversary Screenings Set for 2028
Karan Johar’s debut feature will return to the big screen in Scotland to mark three decades since its release.
By Natalie Cooper ·
The Edinburgh International Film Festival confirmed on Friday that a special screening of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai will anchor the 2028 edition of the event. The 1998 Indian musical, which marked the directorial debut of Karan Johar, will be presented as part of a 30th anniversary celebration.
The film follows a love triangle involving Rahul Khanna, played by Shah Rukh Khan, and two women, Anjali Sharma and Tina Malhotra, portrayed by Kajol and Rani Mukerji respectively. It holds historical importance for the Scottish film industry because it was the first major Indian production to film extensively across the country. Locations included Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Tantallon Castle, and Inchmahome Priory.
Johar received the invitation during a meeting in Mumbai earlier this week. He hosted the gathering at the offices of Dharma Productions, his production company. Attendees included John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, and David Smith, the interim executive director of Screen Scotland. The discussion centered on using Scotland as a destination and partner for Indian film and television production, co-production, and talent development.
Swinney stated that he looked forward to welcoming Johar to Edinburgh. He noted that Scotland offers infrastructure, expertise, and filming locations that can support a wide range of productions. He described the Scottish screen industry as having tremendous potential as a creative partner for Indian film and television.
Paul Ridd, the CEO and festival director for the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said his team was always thinking about the future. He explained that they seized the opportunity to plant seeds for a celebration of a beloved film that features Scotland and major Bollywood stars. Ridd expressed excitement for the 81st edition of the festival in 2028 while noting that more news regarding the 80th edition next August is coming soon.
The 80th Edinburgh International Film Festival is scheduled to run from August 12 to August 18.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
