Key Highlights

  • Premiere guest: Salman Khan joins Karan Johar on the premiere of Koffee With Karan Season 9.
  • The yes: Salman agreed to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai without hearing the full narration, and without a fee.
  • The mishap: The climax was accidentally shot entirely in slow motion, forcing a full reshoot.
  • Salman’s gesture: He pushed his next shoot by a day to stay back and redo it.
  • Family bond: Karan’s father once flew to Mauritius to help with permissions for Salman’s Hello Brother shoot.

Salman Khan is the guest on the premiere episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, and he and Karan Johar took a trip down memory lane to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Karan’s directorial debut.

How Salman Said Yes

Karan revealed that several leading actors had turned down the supporting role that eventually went to Salman. When Karan approached him, Salman casually told him, “You’ve been shopping, come narrate the film to me tomorrow.”

The next day, Karan arrived at Salman’s apartment to find him in striking yellow shorts. Salman agreed to sign the film without even hearing the entire narration, and despite Karan telling him there would be no remuneration for the special appearance.

The Slow-Motion Disaster

The pair also recalled a major hiccup during the film’s emotional climax. The camera operator accidentally shot the entire sequence in slow motion, meaning it had to be reshot completely. Salman postponed his next shoot by a day to stay back and finish it.

A Family Bond

The two also spoke about the close ties between their families. Karan’s father, producer Yash Johar, had personally flown to Mauritius to help secure government permissions for Salman’s shoot of Hello Brother.

Why It Matters: Stories Behind a Classic

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai defined a generation of Hindi cinema, shaping its music, fashion and campus romance for years. Salman’s Aman, the gentle, generous fiancé who steps aside, became one of the film’s most loved roles. Learning that he took it on without a fee, and without hearing the full story, adds a new layer to that character’s generosity.

The timing is apt too. The film released in October 1998, and this week marks 28 years since it arrived in cinemas.

About the Film

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Salman Khan and Sana Saeed, the film follows a love triangle between college friends Rahul, Anjali and Tina, and years later, Rahul’s young daughter’s effort to reunite him with his best friend. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Where to Watch

New episodes of Koffee With Karan Season 9 stream on JioHotstar.

The Bottom Line

From yellow shorts to a slow-motion climax, Salman and Karan’s stories show that even Bollywood classics come with chaotic beginnings, and a lot of friendship.

With inputs from IANS.