Kuch Kuch Nostalgia Hai: Karan, Shah Rukh & Rani have a full circle moment with National Award win

Karan Johar is feeling all the feels and for good reason. Just days after the National Awards were announced, the filmmaker took to Instagram with an emotional note that doubled up as a Bollywood love letter. His caption was pure nostalgia heavy feels and full circle magic. With Shah Rukh Khan Rani Mukerji and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani all walking away with top honours, Karan’s heart was clearly bursting at the seams.

And honestly so is ours.

Karan’s National Award Moment And Why It Matters

Karan Johar won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani the colourful romantic drama that brought back big boisterous Bollywood in the most unapologetic way. From chiffon clad romance to gender politics wrapped in song and dance, RRKPK gave us classic Dharma with a 2020s edge.

But Karan’s Instagram post wasn’t just about the win. It was a tribute to memories to friendships and to a legacy that began with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

SRK Wins Big and KJo Can’t Keep Calm

In what fans are calling a long overdue moment, Shah Rukh Khan bagged the Best Actor award for Jawan. Karan who has shared a nearly three decade long bond with SRK didn’t hold back on the praise. “This has been 33 years in the making,” he wrote, calling Jawan and SRK’s other works a testament to his power to redefine Indian cinema.

Of course he couldn’t resist adding a pinch of SRK flavoured masala “You light every screen you walk into with your swag charm and just SRK ness”

Yes Karan We felt that.

Rani Mukerji’s Punch In The Gut Performance

Next on Karan’s love list was Rani Mukerji who stunned audiences with her gut wrenching turn in Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway. The actress took home a Special Jury Mention and Karan couldn’t be prouder.

“Very few can make everyone feel every last feeling” he wrote “but you you have always been the best at it”

It’s the kind of praise that feels personal not PR. And when it comes from someone who helped launch and nurture careers it hits different.

A Dharma Dream Team Moment

What makes this moment even more iconic is the fact that all three Shah Rukh Rani and Karan were part of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. That film won Karan his first National Award back in 1998 with SRK and Rani starring alongside Kajol.

His post cheekily reminded us “P S Fun fact I won my first National Award with these two and Kajol by my side for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai If this is not full circle what is”

Some fans got teary eyed. Others flooded the comments with “KKHH 2 WHEN”

The Internet Reacts “KJo is the Moment”

Karan also made it a point to shout out the team behind Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway especially Emmay Entertainment the production house helmed by Nikkhil Advani Madhu Bhojwani and Monisha Advani.

“Biggest shoutout to Emmay Entertainment for backing such a powerful story” he wrote giving credit where it was due.

While fans were already cheering for SRK and Rani’s wins Karan’s emotional outpouring struck a chord. Screenshots of his post went viral on X formerly Twitter with fans calling him the emotional glue of Bollywood.

Others noted how rare it is to see one post celebrate two megastars and a film with equal honesty and warmth. “Karan has been a constant in so many iconic moments he deserves all the love back” one user commented.

2026 Already Looks Bright

With Rocky Aur Rani being celebrated at the National Awards Jawan rewriting the mainstream hero template and Mrs. Chatterjee hitting the emotional nerve this isn’t just a good week for Karan Johar it’s a reaffirmation of his place in the Bollywood hall of fame.

And as he reminded us with that famous SRK line picture abhi baaki hai mere dost

And you know what We believe him.