Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani met actor Richard Gere at the 15th Dharamshala International Film Festival. Advani showed the Hollywood star the famous Pretty Woman song sequence from his 2003 film Kal Ho Naa Ho. He called it a huge fanboy moment. The song remains a beloved part of the hit movie.
Nikkhil Advani got a rather special opportunity to revisit one of the most memorable moments from his first film, and this time, he had a very special audience. The filmmaker met Hollywood actor Richard Gere at the 15th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival 2026 and showed him the popular Pretty Woman sequence from his 2003 film Kal Ho Naa Ho, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. For someone who grew up admiring the Hollywood star, it was clearly a moment to cherish.
Sharing the experience on Instagram, Nikkhil couldn't hide his excitement. He wrote, "Huge huge fan boy moment. Showed @richardgere #PrettyWoman from #KalHoNaaHo 🙌🙌🙌🙌" He further teased his followers with "(wait for his reaction)" and added "Icing on the cake 🎂".
The filmmaker also tagged Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Karan Johar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, lyricist Javed Akhtar and choreographer Farah Khan. He also tagged the official account of the late Roy Orbison in his post.
The song eventually found its way into Hindi cinema through Kal Ho Naa Ho. In the film, Shah Rukh's character Aman breaks into a Hindi version of Pretty Woman, dancing on top of a taxi and trying to win over his neighbour Naina (Preity Zinta). The sequence is among the film's most recognisable moments and remains a fan favourite.
Karan Johar, who wrote the film, had acquired the rights to recreate Roy Orbison's original track. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy worked on the music, with singer Ravi "Rags" Khote lending his voice to the Hindi version. The team gave the familiar song a Bollywood makeover without losing the charm of the original. Shah Rukh's playful performance made it even more memorable.
Released in 2003, Kal Ho Naa Ho followed Naina (Preity Zinta), a young woman in New York who is dealing with family problems and the pressures of everyday life. Things begin to change when Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) moves into her neighbourhood. His cheerful nature brings a fresh perspective to Naina's life, even as she struggles to understand his constant optimism.
Aman also tries to bring Naina closer to her best friend Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), hoping the two will find happiness together. But there is a reason behind his efforts to make everyone around him smile. Aman is terminally ill and knows he does not have much time left. Rather than let his illness define his final days, he chooses to make the most of the time he has and ensure that Naina has a happy future.
The 15th edition of the Dharmshala International Film Festival (DIFF) is being held in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, from October 29 to November 1, 2026. This year's festival brings together an eclectic selection of films, along with interactive sessions that give audiences an opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers and other industry professionals. Richard Gere is also part of the festival's board of advisors.
One of the sessions features filmmaker Sudhir Mishra in conversation with Nikkhil Advani. The 90-minute discussion brings together two directors with a shared history, as Advani began his career in 1996 by writing for Mishra's film Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin.