There are films which cannot do business for 20 days but Kuch Kuch Hota Hai survived for 20 years: Archana Puran Singh

By Rashita Sahni

on October 16, 2018

Karan Johar's blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai completes 20 invincible years and it still feels fresh. The iconic love story with the eminent star cast of Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan which released on October 16, 1998, completes two decades today. Karan's directional debut which introduced three characters through friendship, love, passion, and grief, is still remembered for its path-breaking love story, where love was indeed friendship.

Remembering the good old days, PeepingMoon.com recently got in touch with Archana Puran Singh who played the much-appreciated role of St. Xavier’s College teacher Ms. Briganza in the film and here's what the actress shared.

Your character of Ms. Briganza in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai became iconic. From your mini skirts to your stylish walk everything suddenly became fashion. Who got this look together?

Fortunately, the film was shot during the time when directors used to visit the actor's house and personally discuss everything. I remember that before we finalized my look Karan Johar used to come to my house with Manish Malhotra and all of us used to brainstorm about the final look. From the colour of my shirt's button to its design, everything was looked into. Manish, Karan and I finally agreed on Ms. Briganza's look after many discussions and tests look. After my look was finalized, Karan explained to me the character and the personality and it was the actor in me which played it the way it was done.

How was it working with Karan, Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani?

It was wonderful, we were like a family. I remember when Karan narrated the script to me I was smiling and crying at the same time, it was so good. Karan had told me that he had written Ms. Briganza's character keeping her in mind. It was Karan's first film as director but it never looked like it, he used to inspire us and keep us together. Now when I look back at the film and the cast, I cannot imagine anyone else playing those characters. Everyone and everything was perfect. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai changed the perspective in the film industry.

Your favourite memory from the shoot of the film?

Everyday used to be memorable on the set but there is this one incident which is very close to my heart. We were shooting for the song Koi Mil Gaya at Mehboob Studio and my room was a little far from the set so Shah Rukh invited me to sit in his van which was near the set. The two of us spoke for a while and then he had to go for his next shot so he left and I dozed off in his van because I was tired. Once he came back he got a call from a journalist for an interview and he left his own van and did not disturb me so that I could sleep peacefully. That was a very sweet of Shah Rukh as he did not even think twice before going out in heat and letting me sleep in his van.

Your chemistry with Anupam Kher aka Mr. Malhotra in the film was adorable. Whose idea was it?

It was purely Karan's idea to make our relationship romantic and sweet in a funny way. Ms. Briganza would scold Mr. Malhotra all the time but also show love to him. Anupam is a great friend and I think that is the main reason that our chemistry worked so well. We worked in Mohabbateintogether again because people loved our pairing. Anupam is still a very near and dear friend of mine.

MR. MALHOTRA AND MS. BRIGANZA

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai completes 20 years today, how does it feel?

I cannot believe that it has been 20 years. When you are shooting for a film you do not realize what impact the film or your character is going to make, you just go with the flow. But the amount of buzz and excitement Kuch Kuch Hota Hai created, it is still loud and clear. There are films nowadays which cannot even stay in the market for 20 days but look at Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, it survived for 20 years.