Karan Johar has expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mentioning the all-around famous Bollywood movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in an Indonesian meeting. Johar said he was proud and very honored that a movie that has been a cultural landmark for so much time and has existed for over 20 years was mentioned by the prime minister in a very special way.
The mention came in the middle of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Indonesia, where the deep cultural ties between India and the Southeast Asian nation were emphasized. Speaking on the power of Indian culture and cinema beyond home, the prime minister mentioned Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which is still popular with many in Indonesia and the region. He highlighted the role of Indian films in strengthening people-to-people interactions and relationships.
Karan Johar took to social media shortly after the speech to respond to the Prime Minister’s mention. Sharing his gratitude, he said Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is still resonant throughout the world and is part of conversations about India’s cultural influence. Saying the honour was an honour, Johar thanked the Prime Minister for acknowledging the movie’s long-standing legacy.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was Karan Johar’s first film and one of the most successful, powerful and influential films of Hindi cinema in 1998. Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji played the lead roles and the romantic drama had a great storyline, music, dialogues and emotional depth which was also very well received at the box office.
Not only is the movie one of the most influential Bollywood romantic movies of the late 90s, but songs from the soundtrack are still in circulation and a lot of the dialogue and scenes are still popular. The film became a great hit and Karan Johar established himself as one of Bollywood's most influential directors and paved the way for his production house to go on to make great movies.
Bollywood has been a cultural bridge to many countries, especially in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and European countries for decades. Bollywood movies have come to be widely popular on the big screen and are available on television (including international TV and digital streaming services) in Indonesia as well. With shared cultural values, music, dance, and storytelling, Indian films have been watched by a multitude of people outside India.
Cultural diplomacy experts often call cinema one of India’s best soft power tools. Unlike traditional diplomatic tools, films build emotional bonds, introduce international audiences to Indian traditions, languages, fashion and music, and promote cultural exchanges. The mention of popular films in official visits is a reminder of how important entertainment is when it comes to strengthening bilateral relations.
Modi has stressed India's rich cultural heritage during international visits, and yoga, Ayurveda, literature, cuisine, and cinema are the things that are at the very core of India’s global identity. His reference to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is also a reflection of the continuing importance of Bollywood as a cultural ambassador for India and India’s cultural influence in the world.
Some of the film industry actors and fans were pleased to see Johar’s reaction to one of the most celebrated movies of Bollywood. Social media users appreciated the Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of Indian cinema and recalled the timeless appeal of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. There are also new generation viewers who see Kuch Kuch Hota Hai on streaming platforms, and that is what keeps the film alive, they said.
In Karan Johar’s eyes, the Prime Minister’s mention is more than the recognition of a successful movie. It’s a tribute to the impact that storytelling has on people of different cultures and generations. Johar has made significant contributions to Indian cinema over the years (writing, producing, mentoring new talent), and his movies have often reached people far beyond India.
As India is expanding its cultural presence abroad, Bollywood is still one of its most recognizable brand ambassadors. The popularity of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and the Prime Minister’s reference to it during his visit to Indonesia is proof that cinema transcends language and geography and can bring people together through shared feelings and memorable stories, for Karan Johar.
