Karan Johar says he was advised to move abroad to find love, ‘Rab ne mere liye jodi nahi banayi’

Karan Johar, who is known for creating some of Bollywood’s most iconic love stories, revealed that his real-life journey with love has been far more turbulent. In a fresh conversation with Sania Mirza on her podcast, the filmmaker shared that he has often found himself craving companionship and healing from heartbreak.

“There was a point in time when I really wanted love. I wanted companionship. I wanted a relationship. I remember talking about this with you. And I went through all kinds of dynamics — a broken heart and one-sided love. I even made a film on it. That was cathartic but also beautiful for me; it helped me heal. I waited. I realised, ‘Is somebody going to love me for who I am, or for what I bring to the table?’ Then you start doubting yourself," he said.

‘Go abroad if you want love’

Karan recalled how well-wishers often advised him to try finding love outside India. But the suggestion never made sense to him.

“And everyone says, ‘Oh, put yourself out there.’ I’m still looking for what ‘there’ is, I don’t know where that ‘there’ is. They are like, ‘Oh, go abroad,’ they say. And I’m like, abroad jaakar pata nahi what I’m going to find? And abroad where, yaar? I live here. I have a mom and two kids; I have to live here. So I’ve gone through those beats. And I do get lonely. It’s a reality."

Adding a humorous yet emotional touch, he said, “We were created in pairs. Ab Rab ne mere liye jodi nahi banayi. And they say never say never. When that happens, my arms are wide open, like Shah Rukh Khan!”

Couples and PDA annoy him

Karan also admitted that outings with couples are something he actively avoids. Their public displays of affection, he joked, irritate him to the point of wanting to tell them off. “I hate going out with couples, and if anybody does PDA in front of me, I feel like killing them. I’m like, ‘Please get a room!’”

Seeing others in love triggers his emotions

This isn’t the first time Karan has spoken about his loneliness. In an earlier episode of Koffee With Karan, he broke down while watching Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s wedding video. Seeing friends in love, he has admitted, makes him long for a partner of his own.

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