Happy Birthday Karan Johar: From Shah Rukh Khan to Kareena Kapoor, Times the filmmaker made huge sacrifices to save their friendship

New Delhi: Karan Johar is one of the finest directors of Bollywood who has given many blockbuster movies like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’. It would not be wrong if Karan is called one of the boldest, most outspoken and most controversial people in the industry. Questioning others, KJo himself openly expresses his opinion on his personal life, sexuality and nepotism.

His assertiveness is the result of multiple breakdowns, childhood bullying and rejection. As a child, Karan had to face many taunts for behaving like a girl. People used to tease him, make fun of him and this trolling continues till date. However, Karan doesn’t care about all this anymore, as his only love now is his family, Hindi cinema and Dharma Productions.

As the filmmaker turns a year older today, let’s take a look at some of the untouched aspects of his life.

Who is Karan Johar?

Karan Johar was born on 25 May 1972 in Mumbai. His father Yash Johar was a renowned producer and the founder of Dharma Productions. Karan studied at Green Lawn High School and HR College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. He was very fat in childhood, but the voice was thin. The constant bullying made Karan so underconfident that he stopped talking to people. He didn’t even make friends. When he complained to the teacher about being bullied at the age of 13, the teacher, on the contrary, advised him to improve the tone of his voice.

‘Pyaar’ with Twinkle Khanna

Karan Johar and Twinkle Khanna studied in the same boarding school. He used to have a crush on Twinkle during his school days. When Twinkle changed the school, Karan also took admission in her school. At one point he even tried to run away from school to meet Twinkle, but was caught and punished in front of the whole school.

Karan later confesses that Twinkle is the only girl in the world he loves. Twinkle in her autobiography ‘Mrs. Funnybones’ that Karan proposed her in school. He told her, ‘I like you, I like your moustache, it’s hot.’

Kajol and Karan’s bond

Karan and Kajol became friends during the shooting of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Kajol always told Karan that she is a big fan of Mani Ratnam and dreams of working in his film. One day the actress got a call from Mani Ratnam and he said, ‘We want to cast you in the film with Shahrukh.’ Kajol hung up the phone saying ‘Karan don’t joke’. When the call came again, Mani Ratnam said, ‘I am Mani Ratnam’. When Karan came to know about this, he was overjoyed, but the date he wanted was clashing with KJo’s film.

Karan knew how much Kajol adored Mani Ratnam, so he decided to advance the date of their film. Even after hearing this, Kajol refused Mani Ratnam, as she had signed the first contract with Karan. Since then both became best friends. However, years later, Ajay Devgn and Karan’s argument during the clash between ‘Shivaay’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ broke their friendship. In his autobiography, Karan wrote a chapter in Kajol’s name and talked about his bond with her and how he will always remember it.

Shah Rukh Khan, The BFF

Karan Johar started his career as an actor with the help of his father. He first worked in Doordarshan’s show ‘Indradhanush’. After this, he assisted director Aditya Chopra in the film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ and also played the role of Shahrukh’s friend in the film. During the shoot, Shah Rukh advised Karan that he should make films himself.

As soon as the shooting of DDLJ was over, Shah Rukh called Yash Johar that ‘I want him to direct the film, you tell him to start preparing quickly’. One day at two o’clock in the night, Shah Rukh spoke to Karan on a message and asked him what kind of film he wanted to make. Shortly after this Karan started writing the film, he signed only Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji. Released in 1998, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai won the National Award and 8 Filmfare Awards including the Filmfare Award for Best Director for Karan.

KJo and Salman Khan

Karan Johar wanted to offer the role of Aman to Salman for ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, but due to high demand for fees, Karan had to look for other actors. Saif Ali Khan and Chandrachud Singh also refused to do this role. A few days later, Karan met Salman again at a party held at Chunky Pandey’s house.

When Salman saw Karan upset, he approached and asked the reason behind him being so short, when told by Karan that no one was found for the role of Aman, Salman replied, ‘I will do the role, I will I like you and your father Yash. , I will do the film only if you give money’. During the shooting of the song Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye, Salman refused to wear a suit. He insisted on wearing ripped jeans and a T-shirt, but Karan wanted him to wear a suit for the scene. Seeing Salman’s tantrums, the filmmaker got irritated as he was not agreeable and everyone was aware of SK’s stubbornness. He pleaded with Salman to go by the script, Karan himself has talked about this in his autobiography.

Karan Johar’s ‘Poo’ Kareena Kapoor

Karan Johar and Kareena used to be very good friends, but when Kareena asked for a fee equal to Shahrukh’s fee for the film ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’, their friendship ended. Karan cast Preity Zinta in the film and did not speak to Kareena for a year. Later, the filmmaker picks up the phone, talks about it and the two are back as friends.