Karan Johar says it was part of ‘destiny to have met Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan’: ‘Two pillars…’

Filmmaker Karan Johar acknowledged producer Aditya Chopra and superstar Shah Rukh Khan as the ‘two pillars’ of his 25-year career in cinema.

Johar began as an assistant and had a brief role in Chopra's successful directorial debut, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,’ a 1995 musical romance film starring SRK and Kajol. Three years later, both actors featured in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ which marked Johar's directorial debut.

Johar visited the national capital to participate in the All India Management Association (AIMA)'s ninth National Leadership Conclave, where he received the 'director of the year' award for his work in the 2023 film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.

Johar reflected on his career and expressed gratitude to Chopra and SRK. He stated that they saw something in him that he didn't see in himself. Johar emphasized the role of destiny and hard work in his journey, noting that while strong belief can help overcome obstacles, he was fortunate to have the support of two individuals who believed in him.

Karan Johar, the son of late producer Yash Johar, mentioned that maintaining a professional demeanor can be challenging when working with actors one idolized while growing up, such as Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan starred in films produced by Johar's banner Dharma Productions, including ‘Dostana’ (1980) and ‘Agneepath’ (1990). Johar shared an amusing incident about directing Bachchan for the first time in his second directorial venture, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.’ He recalled fainting a day before directing Bachchan and expressed gratitude to him for allowing him to be a director and give instructions.

Karan Johar, known for directing films like ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna,’ ‘My Name is Khan,’ and the recent hit ‘Rocky Aur Rani...,’ stated that he doesn't believe in resting on past achievements. He emphasized the importance of dealing with both failure and success in a similar manner, equating success with self-happiness rather than just financial gain. Johar stressed the need to acknowledge, accept, and analyze failure, while swiftly moving on from success to avoid complacency.

Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's views on films as soft power, Johar highlighted cinema's significant influence as a medium. He emphasized the responsibility that comes with this influence, noting that films have the power to shape societal consciousness. While he acknowledged that one film alone cannot transform society, Johar believed that cinema can play a vital role in highlighting important issues like women's empowerment. He also expressed hope that filmmakers would recognize the impact of their work and use their platform responsibly.

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