Karan Johar now and then
This is a look-back into how Karan Johar has evolved over the years both as a producer and director encouraging new talent whether it is directors or actors. The way he is going strong with an unfazed attitude is praise worthy in spite of being trolled for different things, more so for launching star kids.
Producer, director, TV Host and occasional actor Karan Johar is one of the most polarising Bollywood personalities. On one hand he gets lots of love for backing films like Kill and Homebound, which has gone to Cannes receiving a standing ovation, on the other hand he faces trolling for producing films with star kids like Alia, Janhvi Kapoor and the recent launch pad Nadaaniyan with Ibrahim Ali Khan. There is an unabashed nature to Karan which comes out strongly in all his interviews. A good example of this is the latest interview with Baradwaj Rangan.
He had a convincing answer to every criticism. He said he goes by his inner conviction while selecting young actors and actresses irrespective of their family background. Sounds true, because in the movie Kill both the lead actors come from non filmy families, Lakshya Kapoor and Raghav Juyal. A big strength of Karan is his strong persona. Karan also has this great ability to take pot-shots at himself and his movies either directed by him or produced by him. Karan’s inherent jovial nature and the way he interacts with even younger actors and actresses, putting them at ease without the baggage of a producer is refreshing too.
Lakshya Kapoor and Raghav Juyal in Kill
Director:
Karan Johar has come a long way as a director in selection of stories, he started his directorial debut with the frothy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai but as a filmmaker his most defining moment came with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna a major departure from the usual romantic dramas. Though not without flaws Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna showed Karan Johar’s ability in taking on more layered and risky storylines. The director successfully dwelt into the complexities of modern marriages and emotional dissatisfaction. The movie showcased how messy relationships can turn out to be with everyone getting hurt.
In more ways than one Karan completely turned the concept of the clichéd ‘happily ever after’ on its head. The movie had its share of brickbats as well due to the bold presentation. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna featured SRK in one of his most unlikeable roles as a very bitter and arrogant Dev while Abhishek Bachchan gave one of his better performances. There is a child like nature and sweetness to the role. As viewers you sympathize with Abhishek more than SRK.
The starcast of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Another movie showcasing Karan Johar’s evolution as a director is My Name Is Khan. The movie explored the burning issue of Islamophobia set in the period after 9/11 attacks. It’s a very risky topic given the political undertones but Karan did a very fine job. Apart from Islamophobia Karan also dealt with a syndrome called Aspergus with the required sensitivity. In spite of having an overblown pre climax involving a massive flood Karan delivered an important message about the need for tolerance and rising above religious hatred.
A still from My Name Is Khan
Mention must also be made of 2023’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Karan managed to bring in something new within the familiar terrain; he subverted some of his own themes regarding patriarchal authority. A major highlight of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is the recreation of ‘Dole Re Dola’. Ranveer’s Rocky dancing with his prospective father in law challenged the traditional notions of masculinity like nothing else; he broke down the gender stereotypes with this one. gesture. Through the character of Rocky Karan presented a refreshingly different protagonist, a man who is willing to change for his girlfriend.
Ranveer Singh’s Rocky doing Kathak with his prospective father in law
Apart from feature films Karan has also been part of anthology movies like Bombay Talkies, Lust Stories 1 and Ghost stories. By Karan’s own admission he was very sceptical on how he would fare among the more intellectuals Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and Zoya Akhtar. Though he stuck to his favorite homosexuality theme starring Saqib Saleem and Randeep Hooda he effectively brought out the need to embrace one’s real self. It ended up being the most talked about segment.
Producer
As a producer too Karan has experimented with different genres. For example there is Tarun Mansukhani’s Dostana a movie about two guys pretending to be gays in order to find a house. Dostana may come across as just a frivolous fun film with humour that often borders on being outlandish, but it is not that. It is an important film as it is one of the first mainstream movies on homosexuality in an attempt to normalize it. There is an important scene in the second half where Kirron Kher is seen accepting her son’s sexual identity and relationship. Of course Abhishek Bachchan’s character is not an actual gay, still it is an important moment in the larger context of social acceptance.
Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham as pretending gays
Kapoor &Sons directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan is another millstone. The film was a family drama with several hidden skeletons, something which most families try to cover up with a pretense of everything is all right. Through this tale of a dysfunctional family Shakun Batra also advocated on a same sex relationship being normal
Kapoor &Sons
Raazi directed by Meghana Gulzar and produced by Karan is a nuanced war drama bringing alive a little known chapter of history. Raazi’s significance lies in how Meghna Gulzar explored the human cost of war through a wonderful Alia Bhatt. The presentation of the Pakistani characters specifically Vicky Kaushal’s Iqbal was refreshing too.
Raazi movie banner
With Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt’s Kill Karan entered into a very different territory, a movie combining raw and brutal action with societal undertones. The movie brilliance lies in how it humanized the gang of armed robbers through the themes of class divide elevating a standard one man army plot. Much like Homebound Kill also went to a film festival last year to Toronto, it received rave reviews as well as awards. Kill marked the emergence of two promising talents.
With Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi Karan brought the much needed topic of mental health to the mainstream. The need to recognise mental health issues and go for professional help was well emphasised. This is necessary, particularly in today’s society where people are judged constantly. Dear Zindagi also explored the challenges, both professional and personal of a young woman cinematographer aspiring to be a director.
Alia and SRK in Dear Zindagi
Lastly Neeraj Ghawyan’s segment called Geeli Puchhi in the Karan Johar produced Ajeeb Daastaans anthology also deserves a mention for its exploration of caste, sexuality and womanhood in an impactful manner. It was the most liked segment in the anthology making a political statement.
Geeli Puchhi
Of course Dharma Productions has its share of huge misfires too, Puri Jagannadh’s Liger being the best example. The film was a cross pollination of various genres making little sense. Even Ayaan Mukherjee’s Bramhastra: Part 1 didn’t have a long run. There is no denying that Bramhastra: Part 1 was an ambitious attempt at merging western aesthetics with Indian mythology, however the plot suffered majorly on account of tonal issues like the jarring trope of quick love. In spite of these hiccups he continues to be strong backing new talent and content. Many directors who have worked in Dharma productions have talked about the freedom Karan gives.
Actor:
As an actor Karan made his debut with a small role in one of the longest running Indian movies Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge. He played a small role, as a friend of SRK. After many years he played a full fledged part in Anurag Kashyap’s ill fated Bombay Velvet. The movie was a disaster on many levels but Karan did make an impact, specifically in the scene where his character Khambata breaks into an uncontrollable laugh.
Host:
Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee with Karan doesn’t need a particular introduction. Starting from the year 2004 the chat show has had 8 seasons so far. The show has stirred up numerous controversies due to his adult line of questioning and the intimate nature with which Karan hosts the show. The conversations on more than one occasion may come across as crass; however it presents a different side to the celebrities making it interesting.
Presenter: Of late he has started presenting and promoting movies also, like Bahubali and Lunchbox. Let us see what else he has up his sleeve. One thing is for sure -whatever he does, he makes sure the spotlight is on him and his work.
