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One of the most charismatic personalities of Indian cinema, Karan Johar is a director, screenwriter, producer, costume designer, actor, and television host who predominantly works in Bollywood films. Referred to as ‘KJo’ by the Indian media, Karan is the son of the acclaimed producer Yash Johar. After making his directorial debut with the 1998 blockbuster movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Karan has directed several successful movies, including the widely acclaimed My Name is Khan (2010), starring Shah Rukh Khan. Apart from directing movies, Karan has also produced several hit movies under the Dharma Productions banner.
EARLY LIFE
Born to Hiroo Johar and producer Yash Johar, in Mumbai, Karan completed his schooling from the Greenlawns High School. He later attended the H.R. College of Commerce and Economics and holds a master’s degree in French. As a child, he was influenced by the works of Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, and Sooraj R. Barjatya. Before venturing into the film industry, Karan's first tryst in front of the camera was in 1989 when he acted in a TV series titled Indradhanush, which was broadcast on Doordarshan.
PERSONAL LIFE
In March 2017, Karan Johar became the father of the twins- Yash and Roohi, via surrogacy. While Yash is Karan Johar’s father’s first name, Roohi is an anagram of his mother’s name-Hiroo.
MOVIE CAREER
As a Director
Karan made his directorial debut on a grand scale with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The movie also featuring Rani Mukerji in the supporting role was a blockbuster hit. The romantic drama film, which later achieved a cult status in India went on to win several awards including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Karan won the Best Director Filmfare Awards.
The stalwart director's second directorial ventured was titled Kabhi Khushi Kabhie
Gham. The movie, that featured an ensemble cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol, Jaya Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan released in 2001. The modern family-centered drama struck the right chords with the audience and alike his previous movie, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham went on to be another major blockbuster. Critic Taran Adarsh commented that "Johar confirms the fact that he is the brightest in film firmament. The premise [of the film] is simple, but it is the storytelling that deserves the highest marks.” He next produced the movie Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) starring Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Kajol in lead roles. Giving a chance to the debutant director Nikhil Advani, Karan Johar wrote the screenplay of the movie. The incredible success of Kal Ho Naa Ho meant a hat-trick of blockbusters for the Karan Johar-Shah Rukh Khan pair.
Continuing his obsession with the word ‘K’, Karan Johar titled his next movie, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006). The movie stars Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles and revolves around the subject of marital infidelity. The film turned out to be another success for Karan and it received much appreciation overseas markets. Noted film critic, Rajeev Masand wrote - "Few writers have such solid control over their screenplay as Karan Johar does. Few understand the intricacies of narrative as well as he does. Johar goes from highs to lows, from plateaus to peaks with the ease of a pro. He knows exactly how to turn a seemingly ordinary scene into something special with just that one line of dialogue, or that hint of background music."
In 2010 Karan directed the movie My Name Is Khan; his first directorial project that does not begin with the letter ‘K’. The movie, which is based on the concept of counter-terrorism showcases how a couple is subject to religious prejudice post the 9/11 attacks in the US. The movie featuring the hit pair of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles, received rave reviews in India and international markets. for his stellar work, Karan won his second Filmfare Award for Best Director. For his next movie, Student Of The Year that released in October 2012, Karan broke his norm of working with established actors and instead cast three debutant actors viz. Alia Bhatt, daughter of acclaimed director Mahesh Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, and Varun Dhawan, son of the popular director David Dhawan. The movie received mixed reviews at the box office and was Karan’s first movie that could not match the success of his previous films.
Karan next directed a part in the anthology Bombay Talkies (2013), which was released to celebrate the centenary year of Hindi cinema. His 2016 releases include Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Anushka Sharma.
As a Producer
Dharma Productions, which is run by Karan Johar, was established by his father, Yash Johar. It was after his father’s demise in 2004 that Karan took over the running of the company. All of Karan’s directorial ventures, barring Bombay Talkies, have been produced by Dharma Productions. Under the banner, Karan has produced several hit movies like Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Dostana (2008), Agneepath (2012), 2 States (2014), and Kapoor & Sons (2016).
As an Actor
Karan Johar first appeared in a minor role in the Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge (1995). He went on to appear in cameo roles in movies such as Om Shanti Om (2007), Fashion(2008), and Luck By Chance (2009). However, he made his debut in a lead role with Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet (2015), where the played the role of an antagonist.
As a Costume Designer
Besides being a superlative director and producer, Karan has also worked as a costume designer for many of Shah Rukh Khan’s films including, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Mohabbatein (2000), and Om Shanti Om (2007) to name a few.
TELEVISION CAREER
Apart from having a successful career in the film industry, Karan has also had a strong presence in the TV industry. He is best known for being the host of the popular celebrity talk show, Koffee with Karan which has successfully completed more than 90 episodes. He has also served as a judge on the reality shows, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and India’s Got Talent.
TRIVIA
Karan Johar once believed that the letter K would bring his movies success and fame and hence came up with names of his movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Although, after watching Lage Raho Munna Bhai, he decided to cool it on the numerology thing and came up with movies like My Name Is Khan and Student Of The Year.
Karan Johar loves to collect old things and antiques.
Karan Johar designed Shah Rukh Khan's costumes in Veer Zaara.
The movie has a few references to Karan Johar's directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, like the names of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in both the movies, the love triangle between Shah Rukh, Kajol, and Rani, and Parzan Dastur is shown counting stars, which is the same thing he does in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Preity Zinta’s role in Kal Ho Na Ho was initially offered to Kareena Kapoor Khan. Karan Johar had written the role specifically for Kareena, however, after she quoted an exorbitant fee, the role was offered to Preity.
Disha Patani's Bollywood debut was set to be Karan Johar's sex comedy called No Sex Please, We're Indians. However, the movie was shelved.
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