More than 25 years after it first redefined college romance for a generation, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is back in the limelight, this time through artificial intelligence. A series of AI-generated images reinterpreting the 1998 blockbuster with a new-age Bollywood cast has gone viral, sparking both nostalgia and discussion across social media platforms.
For millennials, movies remain sacred territory. Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul, Kajol’s Anjali and Rani Mukerji’s Tina were more than just characters. They became cultural touchstones. Friendship bands, basketball courts, summer camp letters, every frame is etched into pop memory. This time, AI has stepped in to give it a modern twist, replacing the original trio with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone.
Ranbir as Rahul, Deepika as Tina, Alia as Anjali
The image, which was first shared by Deepika Padukone’s fan page on Instagram, shows Ranbir Kapoor in a casual cool avatar of Rahul and includes Deepika’s friendship bracelet moment recreated alongside Tina. Their digitally imagined chemistry mirrors the iconic tug-of-war scene that once defined the film’s emotional core.
Another widely circulated visual shows Alia Bhatt stepping into the role of Anjali. In a recreated college scene, she looks at Rahul with the same unspoken adoration that made Kajol’s portrayal so unforgettable. Distinctive styling has also been carefully reworked in the AI version, from the sporty look to Tina’s glamorous ensemble.
Interestingly, Ranveer Singh appears in the reimagined cast as Aman, a role originally played by Salman Khan. The famous movie poster featuring Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani has also been redesigned with a new ensemble, adding to the excitement.
AI artists also created short videos imagining scenes from the movie with this updated cast, adding movement and dialogue to the viral concept.
Thoughts on Karan Johar’s actual casting
This viral trend comes amid continued interest in whether the film could be remade. Karan Johar, who directed the original, spoke about his thoughts on a possible reboot during an appearance on Sania Mirza’s podcast.
Director Johar revealed that if he were to remake Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, he would cast Ranveer Singh as Rahul, Alia Bhatt as Anjali and Ananya Panday as Tina. He also mentioned that Janhvi Kapoor or Sara Ali Khan might play Tina, jokingly calling the young stars ‘nepo babies’.
In 2024, Johar admitted that he sometimes felt “tired” when reviewing his debut directorial film, adding that veteran actor Shabana Azmi “taught me” about various aspects of the film.
No official remake
There are currently no official sequels or remakes in development. But AI-generated visuals have restarted the conversation about how this story resonates with Gen Z audiences. Whether fans embrace the digital fantasy or prefer to keep the original intact, one thing is for sure: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai continues to live on, evolving with technology while retaining its nostalgic appeal.
