This story is from May 25, 2006

Karan Johar is 34...

Agencies / May 25, 2006, 10:06 IST

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Did you know that Laddoo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham had a lot of references to the director himself?

Karan Johar, along with Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, at a party. (TOI)
Karan Johar was born on 25 May, 1972. Although he had a Bollywood background thanks to producer father Yash Johar, Karan never showed any interest in films as a kid. At school, he preferred to say that his father was a businessman rather than a filmmaker.
Initially his parents wanted to name him ��Rahul��.However, for some numerological reasons they named him Karan. As a kid, Karan was very fat and would often get teased in school. In fact, the character Laddo from his film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham had a lot of personal references.

Karan Johar made a trip to Cannes film festival, along with Preity Zinta to promote his forthcoming movie Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. (Reuters)

After completing his graduation when his father asked him to assist director Mahesh Bhatt on Gumrah (which was produced under Yash Johar's banner), Karan said that he didn��t want to end up as one of Mahesh Bhatt��s many assistants. With a keen interest in costume and design, Karan clearly had other things in mind.

Johar has looked up to producer-director Yash Chopra for inspiration. (TOI)
It was producer-director Yash Chopra��s son Aditya who realised that Karan was cutout for making movies.

At the time when Aditya was directing Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, heoffered Karan to become his first Assistant Director. Since they knew each other from childhood, Karan took up the offer. And the rest is history...

Yash Chopra has been like a father figure for this young director. (TOI)
Karan is among the young group of Indian filmmakers who have managed to instill a fresh and modern look to commercial Bollywood cinema. Chic costumes, snazzy looking sets and a youthful look in his films made Karan a household name. At 25, his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, won accolades both critically and commercially in India and globally.

Johar with his mother at the inauguration of a hotel in Mumbai. (TOI)
Karan followed up his success with his second film, the multi-starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. It created pre-release history thanks to its huge starcast, which included Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor..

Karan Johar with ex-Miss India and actress Neha Dhupia at a beauty pageant. (TOI)
Although Kal Ho Na Ho, releasedin 2003, wasn��t directed by Karan, it had his trademark style. The film��s screenplay penned by Karan Johar was a huge box-office draw.

Actor Dino Morea joins Karan Johar at a social function. (TOI)
After the big screen, Karan dabbled with television. Chat show Koffee with Karan, hostedby Karan had the who��s who of Bollywood smiling and joking with him.

Johar with close friends designer Manish Malhotra and Suneeta Menon. (TOI)
After the death of his father, Karan and Shah Rukh Khan jointly released a thriller film called Kaal in 2005, which was reasonably successful at the box-office.

End of Article

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