The bond between Indian cinema and New Zealand is set to be celebrated this November as iconic choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan visits Aotearoa to commemorate 25 years since the filming of the Bollywood blockbuster Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.
Filmed in New Zealand in 1999, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was one of the top-grossing films of 2000 in India. Estimates suggest that over 500 million people in India have watched the film, which showcased the scenic landscapes of New Zealand, inspiring a surge in Indian visitors between 2001 and 2002.
The Film India Screen Collective (FISC), initiated by Petrina D’Rozario and supported by Screen Auckland, will host a special screening of the film on 5 November 2025 at Hoyts, Sylvia Park in Auckland. Farah Khan, the mastermind behind the film’s iconic choreography, will attend as the guest of honour.
“I am thrilled to be visiting Aotearoa for the very first time. It’s a beautiful and film-friendly country I’ve long wanted to experience,” Farah said.
“It feels especially meaningful to be here to celebrate 25 years of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, a film I have so many fond memories of, and to know it has found a home in the hearts of Kiwi audiences makes it a special visit. This event marks the first step towards building the proposed 2026 Indian Film Festival of New Zealand, a celebration of that shared connection and the beginning of a new, exciting chapter of creative collaboration.”
D’Rozario highlighted the growing popularity of Indian films in New Zealand. “Indian movies screening in New Zealand have secured more than $30 million at our own box office over the last five years. India produces almost 2,700 films every year and our aim is to attract more of these to be filmed here. It’s about weaving a vibrant thread of Indian culture into the beautiful tapestry of Aotearoa. The Indian Film Festival being planned for 2026 will be the event that takes the relationship into an exciting new future.”
Matt Horrocks, Manager of Screen Auckland, noted the significance of the film industry in fostering connections between the two countries. “New Zealand and India share a long and valued history of collaboration across our screen industries. The filming of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai marked a milestone in that relationship.
Farah Khan’s visit offers a terrific opportunity to reconnect with India’s creative community and celebrate the partnerships that make filming in Aotearoa New Zealand so special. India is also an increasingly important visitor market for Auckland – with nearly 65,000 visitor arrivals from India to the region in the past year – and film is one of the most powerful ways to share our stories, landscapes and culture with international audiences.”
Since the days of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Farah Khan has become a powerhouse in India’s film industry, excelling as a writer, director, and producer. Her directorial venture Om Shanti Om, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was both a critical and commercial success. Recently, she has expanded her reach to social media, with her YouTube channel Food with Farah accumulating nearly 800 million views.
During her Auckland visit, Farah will film an episode for her channel, showcasing the region to her international audience. Highlights of her trip include a cooking expedition at Velskov, a native forest farm in Parau, west Auckland, as well as visits to Hobbiton, Waitomo Cave, and Hamilton Gardens with Waikato Screen.
The event promises to be a celebration not only of cinematic history but also of the enduring cultural and creative ties between India and New Zealand.
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