Filmmaker Karan Johar has expressed being 'elated and honoured' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a special shout-out to his iconic film 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' during a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia. PM Modi, currently on a three-country tour that also includes Australia and New Zealand, praised the famous song and referenced Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
PM Modi's remarks in Jakarta
During his address in Jakarta on 8 July 2026, PM Modi said, 'Kuch kuch hota hai... You go to any corner of the world, you will not be able to live without mentioning Shah Rukh Khan and his films... India's identity in many countries of the world is @iamsrk.' The comment drew cheers from the audience and quickly went viral on social media.
A user named Rohit shared a video of the speech on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it: 'PM Narendra Modi said- Kuch kuch hota hai... You go to any corner of the world, you will not be able to live without mentioning Shahrukh Khan and his films... India's identity in many countries of the world is @iamsrk.'
Karan Johar's reaction
Karan Johar, the director of the 1998 blockbuster 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', responded by sharing a screenshot of the news on his Instagram Story. He wrote, 'Elated and honoured that our Prime Minister mentioned Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in his speech in Jakarta. Truly a proud moment for Indian cinema.' The film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji, remains a cultural touchstone in India and abroad.
According to sources, PM Modi's mention of the film was part of a broader speech highlighting India's soft power and cultural influence globally. The Prime Minister often uses references from popular culture to connect with diverse audiences.
Impact and significance
This is not the first time PM Modi has referenced Bollywood in his speeches. In 2020, during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, he quoted dialogues from the film 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'. Such references are seen as an attempt to leverage India's film industry to strengthen diplomatic ties and cultural outreach.
Karan Johar's reaction underscores the pride felt by the Indian film fraternity when their work is acknowledged at the highest levels of government. The director-producer has often spoken about the global reach of Hindi cinema and its role in shaping perceptions of India.
As of now, the video of PM Modi's speech has garnered over 2 million views on social media platforms, with fans praising the Prime Minister for his appreciation of Indian cinema. The hashtag #KuchKuchHotaHai trended on X for several hours following the event.
