Exclusive! ‘I owe everything in my career to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’: Karan Johar on 20 years of KKHH

On this day two decades ago, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH) opened in theatres and left an indelible mark in the history of Hindi cinema. The romantic drama gave the industry the immensely-talented Karan Johar, who went on to make massive blockbusters, anchor a production house and introduce new talents — directors as well as actors. Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji attained new heights of stardom as their respective characters in the film — Rahul, Anjali and Tina — epitomised friendship and love. Karan looks back at his directorial debut and deciphers its ever-lasting magic...

Innocence Personified

Remind the multi-talented personality that it has been a long, successful romance with the movies for him, and he says, “I can’t believe I have been around for two decades in the industry. I also can’t believe that KKHH is 20 years old. I feel like I was a different person then... more innocent, a little more lost, a lot less confident. Also, I was less sure of what I wanted to do. But that innocence resulted in some kind of pure work. None of us now, after having done so much, are capable of the same purity. When I look at KKHH today, my first thought is, ‘What was I thinking?’ (laughs). It doesn’t seem like something I can identify with myself. However, it worked because it connected with that generation as well as the family audience.”

Back In Time

Karan reminisces that he followed his heart while helming this film and that had its own charm. “The times were different, we were far more inclusive as an industry. It was a lot more fun to hang out with each other. Now, of course, things are professional, but I think we’ve lost some of our organic way of going on the set and creating magic. Today, it’s all so rehearsed... you have publicists and agencies. Everything is structured, but it has lost its soul a little bit. I remember we had such a good time shooting Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH). 
All the actors were always on the sets. We shot in Mauritius, Ooty, Scotland and every day was memorable,” Karan recalls.

The New Cool

Besides the emotional connect, performances, and the lilting music, the film also gave a new spin to fashion on the big screen. Karan and designer Manish Malhotra ensured that people sat up and took notice of the styling. The writer-director states, “It was the beginning of pop culture in Indian cinema. We thought we would go out of the country and buy branded stuff like Gap, Polo Sport and Tommy Hilfiger. These were brands that neither people nor we had heard of. We saw them and thought let’s just put it out there. I have to credit Manish for having created a new language of cool. Shah Rukh even wore a chain that spelt ‘Cool’. There was a new look for Kajol, who played this tomboy while Rani had a beautiful, soft appearance. I remember youngsters were going crazy about the way Kajol’s hair was done and the hairbands that she sported.”

A Toast To Great Beginnings

Karan, who successfully dons many hats, avers, “I owe everything in my career to KKHH. After its release, I knew I had a job that I could keep (laughs). I was like, ‘Chalo, they won’t throw me out of the industry now. I’ll be able to make more films and create more cinema memories.’” He adds, “Everything I do and have achieved today is because of KKHH. I will always be grateful for its success and the love it continues to get. The fact that it is relevant today and that it still connects with the global audience means the world to me.”

Paving The Path 

After this epic love triangle opened in cinemas, Karan went from strength to strength. He recalls, “It not only gave me a career but also a new lease of life to Dharma Productions. Up to that point, my father had backed five or six movies, which hadn’t worked and we were going through a tough time as a production house. In fact, five months before KKHH opened in cinemas, Duplicate had released and not done well commercially. So, it was a difficult time for us and KKHH’s success was imperative. I remember feeling the pressure as a 25-year-old. As a family, we were really nervous about the film’s release, but I’m glad that it rose to the occasion.” 

Conviction Equals Success

While Karan won a lot of accolades, his directorial debut also gave him some important life lessons. “Just make a film from your heart. That’s the one thing I tell everyone. KKHH is innocence personified,” he exclaims, before adding, “It taught me that conviction equals success, even if it’s not monetary, it’s at least personal. If you look at it, the movie has a screenplay and logical loopholes, but I was so convinced that I could achieve an emotional narrative around those that I went ahead and made it. I always tell directors, even in Dharma, that if you are convinced about what you are making, you will pull it off and get the audience to believe in it, too. And that will result in commercial success.”

Finding Family

A conversation about this SRK-Kajol-Rani-starrer can’t be complete without talking about its main cast. “I was exceptionally close to Kajol as a child. I got to know Shah Rukh during Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Rani while making this film,” he mentions. Over a course of time, the trio has collaborated with each other on various projects and have also formed a deep bond with each other. “All relationships go through some highs and lows, but I can proudly say that 20 years later, they are not just my friends but even my family. I am in touch with them almost every day. They are a big part of my emotional and life decisions and I am a part of theirs. Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani will always be my family,” signs off Karan.