Filmmaker Karan Johar in conversation with Rtn. Priya Tanna on Creativity & Koffee
Filmmaker Karan Johar in conversation with Rtn. Priya Tanna on Creativity & Koffee
I can’t tell you how excited I am, guys. In addition to being a friend and someone I’ve closely worked with, I admire Karan Johar for very different reasons than most people. That’s because I’ve seen how he works. One of the superpowers Karan has is the ability to balance his right and left brain with equal success. You have creative people, and then you have commercial people. Usually, the left brain and the right brain don’t work together as well as they do in him. That’s really been his superpower.
So, my first question to you is how did this happen? And please don’t say it’s because you’re Sindhi.
I’m half Sindhi, but anyone who knows me will know that’s a very powerful side. I’m very proud of my Sindhi lineage. I grew up on Sai Bhaji, so all good vegetables. I don’t know, Priya. When I’m asked about creativity, it’s born out of instinct. And instinct is either in your DNA or cultivated over time. With me, creativity began with my passion for Hindi cinema. For those of us in this sandwich generation who grew up in the early ’80s and late ’70s, the VHS changed some of our destinies. It changed mine because, unlike the kids in my neighbourhood who were watching pop culture cartoons or reading superhero comics, I was watching Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, and vintage Yash Chopra and going crazy about Hindi cinema. That was the beginning of my love story with cinema and Hindi cinema. The very first film I saw in a cinema house was actually Roman Holiday. My mother took me to Eros to see it, and I remember being awestruck by the magic and magnetism of celluloid. I couldn’t believe that moving images could be so powerful. When I went back home, I felt something change in me; I felt empowered. My journey of creativity began with my passion for cinema. Everything that followed was a result of that.
But then, Karan, you had so much creative success. When the world got to know who Karan Johar was, so much of it was driven by your creative work. Then we started seeing glimpses of Karan the businessman, Karan the builder of the empire that you’ve managed to build with Dharma. When and how did that start seeping into your consciousness?
All adversities give rise to opportunities or sometimes new destiny paths. For me, I was a very indulged, sheltered, and pampered only child. Right up to 2003, my parents were my world. I didn’t have any siblings. I was raised with all the values by my mum and dad. My father, who had me when he was 40 years old, gave me both parental and grandparental love. I was the apple of his eye. Even when I was the largest on the weighing scale, he would say, there’s no one more beautiful than you in this world.
I remember my mother choking on her Sai Bhaji when he suggested I should be a Hindi film hero. She didn’t have the gumption to say, ‘Please don’t listen to your father. He’s living in La La Land,’ because he would say, ‘Tumhara puppy fat hai, chala jayega.’ I myself started wondering whether I should listen to him because he just came from love.
When he left us in 2004, I was 31 years old. Up to that point, Priya, I hadn’t handled a single aspect of the business. I didn’t know how to sign a cheque. I remember the first time I attended an international award out of the country and started signing autographs. It was a new and special thing for me. But when I came back and cheques were given to me, I started writing lots of love on those cheques. My father turned to me and said, ‘They don’t want your love. They want your money.’ That summarised who I was at that time; I knew nothing about investments or fixed deposits.
When he was diagnosed with cancer in August 2003 and passed away 10 months later, he tried very hard to hold on. In the last three months, he knew he was going to go. He tried to tell me stuff, but I was refusing to listen because I didn’t want to let go of him. Four days after he passed away, a family friend came with an 11-page letter my father had written to me. It wasn’t an emotional letter; it was a pragmatic, practical Bible about how to lead my business existence for at least a year ahead. It had all the details written in his hand about his investments, people I could trust, people I should not trust, and people I should never deal with.
He suggested in the letter that my best friend Apoorva Mehta should come into the company because he was the closest to family. That night I called Apoorva, and in a day, he packed his life in London and joined me. That’s where the journey of Dharma Productions truly began. We were two lost people. Apoorva was not from the film world. He was from the financial world. We had to pick up the pieces to live up to my father’s dreams and legacy. Everything that people talk about in building this company and Dharma came because I was pushed into it. I felt that if I ran from this, I would be letting down his legacy and dream. That’s something I would never want to do. Whatever I’ve achieved is purely an emotional reaction to him. That’s amazing, Karan. I didn’t know that. Thank you for sharing; that’s really important. So my question that follows is: success is a moving target for each of us, right? When we start our careers, success means different things. Now that you’ve reached this stage, what does success mean to you today? Is it about financial? Is it box office results? Is it launching new faces? Is it putting your passion into projects you love without worrying about the outcome? I’m really intrigued to know what success means for you at this stage in your career.
You have to look at success objectively and consider where you are in life. I’m sure everyone here who’s had achievements for decades will know that success meant money in our 20s, fame in our industry in our 30s, and stability and building in our 40s. But when you reach a certain age and have been through the journey, success also means a sense of contentment, joy, and happiness, and seeking other things besides money in your bank or achievements at the box office. It also means self-growth and how you are feeling today. Because eventually, nothing fails like success. Success is a big burden to carry. When you are successful, all you want is to remain successful, and continuing that journey is a huge burden. I always say some failures are breathers in our life because they allow us to work towards success again. Those are the exciting and exhilarating times in our lives. Otherwise, tracking the money in our bank or the box office every day is a never-ending loop that sucks the joy out of our existence. Today, I feel success is a holiday with my children. Success is time spent with my mum. Success is interacting with younger, evolved minds and learning from them. Success is talking about everything and feeling cathartic like I am, just now, in this very moment.
This is my success.
That’s a lovely answer. As a creative trying to embark on some form of business, I want to know: when you have failed, and like you said, failures are breathers and lessons, how do you talk yourself out of it? What pep talk do you give yourself, Karan? I’m keen to know what goes on in your mind.
In our industry, which is rare because it doesn’t happen in every industry, successes and failures are world-known and globally known. When we release a film and it fails, everyone knows it. You have a red line on the box office. You walk into every room and, even though nobody is really judging, you feel judged.
When you fail, the first thing is to acknowledge why you failed. Always believe that if you fail at something, there are reasons why it happened. There were indecisions or hasty decisions, perhaps. There were circumstantial, climatic, environmental reasons. Sometimes, the people you worked with were not the right energy. Many things can result in failure. The very first thing, Priya, is to realise, understand, and analyse why you failed.
Once you embrace the reason for your failure and acknowledge it, you don’t need a second step because you’ll have your answers, and then you work towards making those changes. That’s what I do. Every time I fail, I call the filmmaker who failed along with me and discuss where we went wrong. When people say a film is ahead of its time, that’s not true. The film failed. Understand it. The audience did not embrace it. No matter which part of your time span it’s released in, it didn’t work for various reasons, and you have to understand it. Never blame anyone, but don’t blame yourself either because blame is a harsh word. There are reasons why things don’t work, and you just have to understand and move on from it. So, in my mind, like you asked, I want to know why I failed and always acknowledge that reason. I think that’s the only way to deal with failure. So, let’s talk a little bit about how it almost seems like films and theatres are at a risk and everybody’s pivoted to the OTT platforms. However, good content remains good, and bad content remains bad, irrespective of the platform. As a filmmaker and a leader in the entertainment industry, what are your thoughts on this? Have you safeguarded your company? I know you embraced television before anyone else did, with Koffee with Karan, the dance shows, and all of that, but I’m specifically talking about the OTT threat. What are your thoughts on this?
You know, OTT is much ado about being a threat, but it’s not at all. It’s actually helped us. I think it has enhanced the talent pool in the film industry. Lots of talent has emerged thanks to streaming services. Writers, mainly, which has been the biggest blessing to us. The emergence of brilliant writers, outstanding artists, actors, and all kinds of technicians. We are leveraging the great resources that streaming services have given us.
Environmentally, what’s happening is postpandemic, we haven’t bounced back the way we would have liked. Habits changed in the pandemic in ways we didn’t envisage. There is a certain habit formation in people’s dayto- day existence where cinema used to be in the top two priorities of entertainment. It isn’t anymore, and people have realised they can watch stuff later. They don’t need to rush immediately. That only happens with the three or four tent-pole films of the year. So, we are really struggling with the middleorder content, the mid-budget films that used to be the bread and butter for cinema. Films like Kapoor & Sons, Neerja, and Piku, made on a mid-size budget. Bahubali, Pathaan, Jawaan are the tent-pole films. But these mid-size films that come every week are struggling to find a larger audience because people believe they can watch them later. We need to energise the cinema halls with mid-size films. That is our main struggle. And it’s not just here, cinemas are struggling globally, in North America, Japan, China, everywhere, with footfalls reducing exponentially in the last four years. But will this remain? Will it be continuous? Perhaps, perhaps not. We never know with the consumer. Right now, the consumer is spending much more on retail and travel than they were earlier. The pandemic made people think about mortality, making them want to enjoy the moment.
In this zone of consumer behaviour patterns, many have turned to travel, retail, and other things besides cinema. So, in the top pecking order, it used to be cricket and film. Cricket hasn’t moved, but we have. The needle has moved with us. We’ll come back.
How strong is your business interest towards the OTT platform now? You are doing both. Is it a 50-50 divide for you? Not at all. My primary passion is cinema. It will always remain. It’s right now at 75:25. But with streaming, getting your shows and films greenlit by Amazon, Netflix, and Hotstar is a process. It’s not easy. Making a series is not easy. What I believe is going to start happening, which might be a bit scary, is something called TV+. TV is what you watch at home, airing on channels like Sony, Colors, Zee. On digital, you will get television-type content, but more upgraded. Not the standard of an eight-episode series you watch now. You will watch 50 episodes, 80 episodes, much like the K-dramas. And what’s going to happen is there will be a depletion of quality but an enhancement of revenue. That’s up for debate right now. Okay, you could create a genre called K-Drama Part 2. Yeah, I’m K-Drama sitting here in front of you. It’s a bit K too. I’m all six feet of drama right now, talking to another drama queen. So, we both have enough drama for this room.
Let’s talk about something that means a lot to Karan. Those who know him know how much his kids have changed his entire universe. This happens to all of us who have children; our kids become our universe. Karan believes so much in legacy. He talks about his father often and has taken that to another level by having his own. Tell me, how has fatherhood changed you? Less drama?
Those poor children, I hope you’re not making them like you.
I know. They are not like me at all. In fact, they are very strong, opinionated individuals of their own. They’ve just emerged as personalities of their own. Of course, I have only gratitude in my heart for my mum, who co-parents them with me. In fact, she does 95% of the job. I’m literally a 5% stakeholder, an emotional stakeholder in that dynamic. I love my children to death. We all love our children. There’s absolutely nothing new about that.
In fact, everyone said, “Oh, has it changed you? Has it made you more responsible, more accountable?” I’d like to believe I was always responsible. I like to believe I was always accountable. When you have a Sindhi mother, you have to be accountable to her because there’s no other way. The ‘account’ in accountable is very important. So I am very accountable as a person. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the fact that I’m no longer feeling that void in my life that was there.
Relationships, marriages, long-term relationships, and healthy companionships between two individuals can fill that one vacuum that exists in all our hearts. Despite that, you might still be lonely, but there’s that one space in your heart that gets filled. That space is overflowing right now. So, there is no seeking love in any other form or way. It’s come in abundance, and that’s what’s changed.
I don’t know about the men in this room, but I know that there are a lot of women here who want to know if you’ve changed even one nappy.
Uh, I have not.
Not making you look good right now. So, I did try. But then we had these nurses from Kerala who started talking to each other in their language. I think they suggested that I was doing it all wrong. So, I stepped aside and watched them do it because I didn’t want to pretend to be perfect at everything. I was told to read books about how to parent twins. I was told, “You’re a single parent. There are many books written on single parents.” Look, I do not want to take away from the amazing books written on parenting by the brilliant minds that have promoted conscious parenting through books, podcasts, and all forms of media. I do not listen to anyone. I believe we all have our own way. Our instinct is a superpower. Our instinct as a parent is our superpower. What applies to our children in our homes is our instinct. It’s never going to be taught to us by a book or a podcast.
What is your story cannot be my story. So, I never listened or heard any. Many mothers and fathers gave me heaps of advice, which I appreciate. I was very bull-headed about not listening to anyone and doing exactly what I wanted. During the pandemic, I was told to keep this one away, that one away. I always made my children sociable. I wanted them to always be engulfed by the love of others because I know I was, as a child. I was never dramatic about sanitising hands and all that paranoia when the kids were born. I was like, “They have to grow up resilient. They have to grow up tough.” So, if they’re going to carry germs and have to deal with that, it’s nothing. It’s the way we were all raised. You can’t be paranoid about a hundred things. I want them to be independent, sociable personalities with their own individuality, and I’m happy to report that it’s happening. How much of you is there in them? What do you see of yourself in Yash and Ruhi? I think I see a lot. I see them seeking friendships as I did as a child, wanting love around them. They are hungry for love all the time. You can see that. I know I was the same as a child, and I think that has come true. But so far, I think the kids are alright. That’s beautiful. I’m going to talk to you about one more serious question, guys, and then I’ll ask him some nonsense questions, and then all of you need to ask him some nonsense questions too. I don’t know what nonsense questions mean. It’s what you’re doing on your TV show. Please, all those things. It’s what… But I ask, I don’t answer.
Tell me, if you had to start your career today, right? Think about it. We’ve all been two-three decades into our respective careers. But so much is dynamic. We all know what an anxious generation we are surrounded by. In fact, there’s an amazing book on it that I think everybody should read called The Anxious Generation. There’s so much social media, so much of everything we’re talking about. If you had to start today, would you be nervous? What would you do differently?
And the second part of my question is, you seek out a lot of talent. There’s a reason you are called the fathership, mothership, and mentorship of Bollywood. I’ve seen you place your bets on nobodies, turning them into somebodies, on young directors. There are things that people don’t know here. Karan actively goes out to collaborate with young writers and directors. He does that beautifully, making them into the entities they are. What do you look for when you are seeking fresh young talent?
So, the two parts, again, are: A, if you had to start, what would you do differently? And B, when you are interacting with the youth, what are you looking for? It can’t be the same thing you were looking for when you cast people back then in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. So, how has that changed? So, I think this generation, the Gen Z generation and the kids growing up on social media daily, have a tremendous need for validation. Everything they do, they seek validation from unknown people, which I don’t understand. When we were growing up, all we sought was validation from our parents and perhaps our closest relationships. Everything was based on our own instinct. Today, I feel everyone’s collective instincts have been clouded and completely bastardised by social media. You’ve lost everything. Whatever you do, you put out and then seek what people say about it. Then, based on what they say, you change and alter your work or thinking pattern. That is something I wouldn’t want to do ever. You cannot seek the validation of unknown people. They don’t mean anything to you. They’re saying what they want, writing what they want, but they don’t have your best interests at heart. So why should you value their opinion? That’s what I would do differently: not seek the validation of others.
And what do I look for? I don’t know, really, Priya. It’s always my first thought when I meet someone. I’ve had many directors walk into the room who have gone on to make massive, beautiful movies. I remember my first meeting with each of them, even the actors. It’s always my first thought. I remember the day Alia Bhatt walked into my room. I was in my Bandra office. She walked in from her school, Jamnabai in Juhu, in her school uniform. She sat in front of me, and I hadn’t even met her before. I knew Bhatt Sahab had a daughter, but I didn’t know she was 17 and a half and wanted to be in the movies. A friend of mine suggested I meet her, and the first thought that popped into my head was, “This girl is a movie star.” I had no idea where it came from. It was just something about her aura and energy. So, I don’t have a constructive or academic answer to give you. It’s really the first thought I have when I meet someone. A filmmaker or an actor — it’s truly like I believe in that moment that they will make a film for me or be in a movie of mine. It’s nothing more than that.
OK, that’s a great answer, actually. What are you excited about at this stage where work is concerned? What projects are firing you to wake up every day? You had great success with Kill. Congratulations for that.
Thank you. It’s a very violent film, but we managed to make it. I don’t know how Dharma Productions managed to make the most violent film in India. I’m not quite sure how we did that. I think it’s a lot of repressed anger issues that have come through in that film.
A lot of movies reflect your mental state of mind.
Well, imagine if every film reflected my mental state — what would that cinema be like? There’s a lot going on in here, I can tell you. I’m also a Gemini, so you get two for the price of one anyway, at every given point in time.
What am I excited about? A host of films in development. Right now, we’re all trying to find our feet regarding the audience’s mood and desires. We’re trying to cater to that requirement. So, I don’t know, not one particular thing, but a series of them. My last serious question to you is, you are rather corporate today. But anyone who has met you knows that your love for fashion can be slightly alternative. Imagine if I came looking like a disco ball in daytime at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Colaba, what that would mean. As I told you, I am a Gemini. So, there are two of me at any given point in time. I can be a Sindhi blingy, shiny disco ball, and I can be…
Oh, you’ve mentioned Sindhi quite a few times in this conversation today. But it’s a significant part of our personalities. It’s like you’re pushing the Sindhi community. Say something about Gujjus too.
The whole nation is talking about them right now. (Huge applause) When did fashion become a passion for you? You’ve been on the cover of Vogue, featured on every best-dressed list. I’ve personally seen you in Dolce & Gabbana’s wild prints and sequins. When did this part of you emerge?
I think it was a midlife crisis, honestly. When I turned 40, I think the midlife crisis began. The thing is, women go through menopause; we go through midlife crises, it’s a thing. It’s not quite the same thing, don’t make it this.
I mean, it’s not a physical thing, but it was a reaction my body had to clothes at that time. It’s not something I can fully understand, but I really think my midlife crisis lasted about 10 years. When I turned 50, I realised that the green sequin jacket I wore might be the last one I want to wear. So, I’m in a monochromatic phase now, making it very corporate.
Yes, in our industry, which is going through a tough time, we seek money and apparently we have to look like this. If you look any other way, nobody will give you the money. So, I have to blend two bankers into one. Okay, now onto the fun questions, if you call them fun. They’ll be quick and rapid. I’ll try to be you.
Listen, I have a big request for everyone in this room. I know you’re all recording, but please don’t post anything because I’m speaking from my heart and I don’t want to get into trouble. You don’t want to live with that guilt. Just don’t post it. Share it with whoever you want. I feel like this is a closed room, and we should all be allowed to be intimate without consequences.
On the topic of intimacy, if you had to remake any of your dad’s movies, which one would it be and who would you cast in it?
My dad made a great film that attained cult status, Agneepath, in 1990, which I remade with Hrithik. So I’ve already done that. Any others?
Your question failed because your research was inadequate.
Thank you. Fine, I’ll move on to another question. You didn’t know, Priya. Don’t lie to me. I watch a lot of videos. Wikipedia was not your friend last night. Haha.
If you had to give up your entire wardrobe and save only three things from it, what would they be?
My undergarments, because they’re essential. My black jeans from Paige that fit me very well. And my big Balenciaga sneakers, I’m obsessed with them. So, otherwise, you’d be okay without anything else?
You always have Jio Mall to go to and shop again.
Please, guys, my appraisal depends on this.
Look, I’m obsessed with Jio Mall. All these shops have come to Bombay, I can’t get over it. I’ve already been there thrice, behaving like every day there’s no other shop in the world I’ve been to before. I love it.
You’ll record this again and send it to me on WhatsApp.
No, no. Bhabhi knows my love for Jio Mall. I’m already in the top client list at Jio Mall. Who has been your dream Koffee With Karan guest till date?
Always and forever, Shah Rukh Khan. Who’s been your nightmare Koffee With Karan guest?
I have eight names in my head that I refuse to divulge.
But you said you’re going to say things that are…
But I don’t want to take any chances now. I’m worried because I know you have a loudmouth.
Okay, give one hint, give one intelligent hint.
Nobody has been a nightmare like that. Some have been boring, and being boring is a sin, and some have committed that sin on that couch. But you know, nobody has been difficult; they’ve just been, “How about you do something boring?” It’s just a personality type.
That’s a very politically correct answer; you’re going to get a smack for it. If you could create a dream Koffee With Karan episode, who would you want on it now? If you could pick your dream five guests from anywhere in the world, anyone. Meryl Streep, my God, I would bend over backwards, jump from the highest mountain, not really, but symbolically, just to get her on that couch. I’m obsessed with her. She’s the only celebrity in this world I’m obsessed with. I’m a huge, huge fan. I saw her at a distance at an event in LA. Someone said, “Oh, you want me to introduce her?” I said, “No, I want to have a meal with her. I don’t just want to meet her because she won’t know who I am. She’d smile politely and walk on, and I’d be shattered.” I want to meet her and actually have a conversation with her. She’s my number one, like, one out of ten. I don’t find many people interesting, but she’s just amazing.
If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to star as you? Ranveer Singh. He’d be great. He’s a chameleon; he can play any part. Is there a secret talent you have that nobody knows about?
I think I’ve put everything out there already, Priya. There’s very little I’ve left to anyone’s imagination. I’ve leveraged every talent of mine, monetised it, and gone happily dancing to the bank with whatever I can achieve with that talent. There’s nothing left, I swear. I’m trying to think of it — I would not let go of a chance to leverage a talent. Fine, Karan. Is this the Sindhi in you? Have you had a crazy fan moment, like a really crazy one that comes straight and hits you when I talk about it?
It was the opposite of a fan moment, and I’d like to tell you about that. It was a couple of years ago; I was catching a flight back from London to home, and I was late. I knew it takes an hour to get to Heathrow from Mayfair, so I was running to my hotel to send my bags, get into the car. I was drastically late, and anyone who knows me knows I’m a punctual person — I’m crazy about reaching places on time. I was going mad, and I could see an Indian couple staring at me from a distance with their camera out. I thought, “Oh my god, now they’re going to come, and I’ll have to pose and take that photo.” So, I reached them, and they were very excited to see me. They quickly handed me their camera and wanted me to click their photograph. I was flummoxed because they had no clue who I was; they just saw an Indian face and said, “Yeh hamare desh se hai, ye hamara photo lega.” They were standing in front of Piccadilly and wanted that Piccadilly moment — you know, that low angle shot. I was in a hurry and had to bend low to take the photograph again. It was the opposite of a fan moment; it was an anti-fan moment.
If you had to direct a South Indian film, who would you star in it? And don’t say I haven’t done my research. I’m asking hypothetically for the future.
OK. I am a big fan of Allu Arjun and Jr NTR. It would be a dream to direct both of them because they’re both great actors. Um, you actually, this is not a one-word question. It’s what I love about you. And I’m going to now admit to this gathering how self-deprecating you are, how easy it is for you to laugh at yourself and make fun of yourself. Is this something you always had in you as a kid?
It’s a defence mechanism. All selfdeprecation comes from self-defence. It is nothing else but that. Before you laugh at me, let me laugh at myself. It starts as an insecurity as a child, builds into something larger, eventually becoming a tool in the form of humour, and then a way of being. That’s amazing. That’s amazing. My last question to you before I open it up to everyone here is if you had to bring back SRK and Kajol in a movie, what sort of film would you direct them in?
Well, if they come back, it has to be a love story. It has to be, because I think that will also be the expectation. So, I believe all very close friends make great lovers on screen. Contrary to what people feel — oh, this couple has a lot of chemistry, they’re dating — they’ll be great. All dating couples have zero chemistry on screen because I think it’s the familiarity that doesn’t lead to celluloid dreams.
You see enough of each other, and there’s so much of the familiar.
The excessive comfort doesn’t result in chemistry. It’s always the lack of that complete comfort, but also a great amount of love. It’s Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt chemistry. It’s the Shah Rukh and Kajol chemistry. It comes from deep friendships. Because they’re all friends and they’ve never been lovers, and that’s why the chemistry is always beautiful. And that’s the case with Shah Rukh and Kajol — they’re buddies. And that’s what really translates so effectively and beautifully on celluloid.
You can do as many Kills as you want, but you know, my heart will always beat for one of those ones. And I can say that for every woman in this room, and we can’t wait for that to happen. Karan… Well, I hope.
ROTARIANS ASK
There was an article in The Times London by Amrit Dhillon which mentioned Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most successful directors and producers, criticising actors who demand ₹350 million (35 crores) for films that flop, earning only ₹3.5 crores. You mentioned that there are about ten viable actors in Hindi cinema, all demanding exorbitant fees. What do you propose as a solution to this issue moving forward, given the current challenges faced by the Hindi film industry? The solution must come from us. There are six of us who contribute to 80% of the films in Bollywood. Collectively, we must refrain from paying such absurd amounts to actors who may not deserve them based on the film’s genre. While some actors merit high pay, others do not. We need to set a trend by not endorsing these inflated demands. This is the only way to correct the current imbalance. Many actors suffer from a ‘delusion disease’ with no cure or vaccination. It’s something they must address themselves, but we cannot continue to support or advocate it any longer. Priya mentioned your influence as a fashion icon in your personal life. How does this translate into the stories you tell? Are you involved in sartorial decisions? For instance, do you influence Alia Bhatt’s sarees in “Rocky and Rani”?
No, I can’t take credit for those sarees. It was entirely Manish Malhotra’s work. However, I am deeply involved in costume design and sartorial choices. I have spent countless hours collaborating creatively with Manish on every film. Over the past 25 years, every leading lady in my movies has been dressed by Manish. Our creative partnership has been intense — arguing, agreeing, shopping, and analysing every detail. From Kajol’s first costume in “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” to Alia Bhatt’s sarees in “Rocky and Rani,” the passion and excitement have remained unchanged. Manish maintains a childlike enthusiasm for every garment, whether it’s a lehenga for a client or a saree for a lead actress.
Since Priya mentioned Gujaratis, I wanted to ask about anything upcoming for “Fafda with Karan.” Also, if you had to roast someone, who would it be?
The word ‘roast’ gives me convulsions! I’ve been part of one and don’t think I’ll ever forget it. As for “Fafda with Karan,” I think we’re experiencing it right now as we speak. Since you’re here for the Rotary Club of Bombay, I’d like to ask about Rotaract clubs in colleges. I’ve heard you were part of one — is that true?
Yes, absolutely.
They let you in?
It was probably based on good looks — I was first in line! But yes, I was an active member of the Rotaract Club at HR College. I was always curious and eager to participate in various extracurricular activities. I remember attending every class, except commercial French, where I ended up correcting my professor’s pronunciation and grammar due to my extensive experience with French at the Alliance.
So now you speak French fluently. Yes, indeed.
You spoke about sports and cinema uniting the country. What can young artists and individuals do to continue this legacy?
If you aspire to enter the industry, acknowledge your ambitions and dreams. Understand that the film industry is tougher than most — it’s a bumpy ride. Start by getting onto a film set. Regardless of your role, that grassroots experience is invaluable. Build relationships, gain confidence, and then navigate your journey from there. There’s a lot of backlash on social media about nepotism. How do you handle it, and what advice do you have for new actors? Nepotism is a mindset that exists in every industry, driven by parental aspirations for their children’s success. In Bollywood, it provides advantages to those from film backgrounds, granting them a head start. However, ultimately, talent determines survival. While opportunities may come easier for some, hard work, dedication, and passion can overcome any obstacle. Icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, who rose without industry connections, exemplify this truth.
Thank you.
Thank you all. I’ll now let Satyan give a vote of thanks to Karan.
Before that, I must thank you, Priya. You call me fafda, and then you’ll thank me?
That’s what you eat, not what you are. Say something nice now in front of all these people; I have a reputation to protect.
So, I’ll tell you how Vogue matters to me and how Priya matters to me, and I’ll tell you a bit of both. My father used to crack terrible PJs. He once joked about an Indian man in London asking for “Vogue-U” magazine. The English gentleman replied, “Sorry sir, it’s Vogue.” The man said, “Okay, okay, don’t argue.” My father repeated this joke so often that it stuck in my mind that there’s something called Vogue. At that time, Vogue wasn’t widely available in India, but there was a raddiwala in Malabar Hill where I used to buy international magazines, sparking my love affair with Vogue.
As time passed, when I reached a point where I could have been on the cover, Priya unknowingly helped me realise my biggest dream in life — to grace that magazine’s cover. I’ve known Priya for years; her husband went to school with me, and Anita is a college friend. Priya has always been there for me. When she asks for something, I find it hard to refuse. So, thank you, Priya, for having me here.
I love you, Karan. Thank you so much for being here. You’ve been on the cover, not just once, but I think twice or thrice, huh? Yes, many more times. But I remember the first time sitting there, and of all my achievements, that was right at the top of my bucket list.
Priya: Thank you so much. You guys have been amazing. Thank you.