Two years have passed since Karan Johar’s vibrant and heartfelt directorial comeback ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ hit the screens, yet for the filmmaker, it still feels like it happened just yesterday. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Karan opened up about what the film means to him, the towering talent he collaborated with, and what lies ahead.
“This is one film I am very proud of”
“It seems like just yesterday! I must say this is one film I am very proud of,” says Karan, reflecting on the milestone anniversary of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, which completes two years on July 28.
On par with ‘My Name Is Khan’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’
When asked if the film ranks alongside his other celebrated works, Karan responds with unmistakable pride.
“It is right up there with ‘My Name Is Khan’ and of course my first directorial ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, which remains special as it brought a smile to my father (the eminent producer Yash Johar)’s face. Our production house was suffering huge deficits when I made ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. It brought a huge financial respite to my dad.”
Gratitude for the ensemble cast
Karan, known for his keen eye for both drama and grandeur, holds ‘Rocky Aur Rani…’ close to his heart — not just for its sweeping romance and colourful storytelling, but for the actors he got to work with.
“I look back with immense gratitude at the experience of getting to work with those tremendous actors. Ranveer and Alia, of course. But more importantly, I got to work with the great Shabana Azmiji and Dharamji and that phenomenal actor from Bengal, Tota Roy Choudhary, for the first time. That is a career high for me.
As for Jayaji (Bachchan), I have had the rare privilege of working with her on several occasions. She agreed to play a character with grey shades in ‘Rocky Aur Rani…’ And she pulled it off swimmingly.”
“That kiss deserves its own film”
The film, known as much for its bold emotional choices as its flamboyant tone, also made headlines for the surprising and tender kiss between Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi — a moment that sparked wide conversation.
Karan laughs, acknowledging the unexpected buzz:
“There is a separate love story there. I may one day make a film on their love story in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.”
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