Richard Gere Sees SRK’s ‘Pretty Woman’ Tribute in Special Meet
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani shares a special moment showing Hollywood legend Richard Gere the iconic Pretty Woman scene from Kal Ho Naa Ho.
In a delightful crossover of Hollywood and Bollywood, filmmaker Nikkhil Advani recently shared a "fan boy" moment with legendary actor Richard Gere. During the 15th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2026, Advani had the unique opportunity to show Gere the Richard Gere Kal Ho Naa Ho tribute sequence, bringing the actor face-to-face with the Indian cinematic homage to his own iconic career.
A Full-Circle Cinematic Moment
Nikkhil Advani, who made his directorial debut with the 2003 blockbuster Kal Ho Naa Ho, took to Instagram to document the encounter. The filmmaker expressed his long-standing admiration for the Hollywood star, sharing a video that captured Gere's reaction to seeing the popular "Pretty Woman" sequence from the film.
In the video, Advani captioned the moment as a "huge huge fan boy moment," urging his followers to wait for Gere's reaction as he watched the sequence featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.
The Magic of the ‘Pretty Woman’ Sequence
The scene in question is one of the most cherished moments in Bollywood history. It features Shah Rukh Khan's character, Aman, performing a high-energy dance to a Hindi adaptation of the song "Pretty Woman" in an attempt to woo his neighbor, Naina, played by Preity Zinta.
While the original track was made famous by Roy Orbison and became a global sensation through the 1990 Hollywood romantic comedy Pretty Woman—starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts—the Bollywood version gave it a distinct desi twist. For Kal Ho Naa Ho, the music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the Hindi version, with the vocals delivered by singer Ravi “Rags” Khote.
Legacy of Two Romantic Hits
The original Pretty Woman, directed by Garry Marshall, told the story of wealthy businessman Edward Lewis and his romance with Vivian Ward. It remains one of the most successful and beloved romantic films in Hollywood history.
Similarly, Kal Ho Naa Ho left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Written by Karan Johar and directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film featured a stellar cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Sushma Seth. The blend of emotional storytelling and catchy music ensured the film's longevity, making the "Pretty Woman" dance sequence a timeless fan favorite.