Karan Johar calls ‘ADHM’ his “most satisfying piece of work”

Karan Johar recently entered the Rs 100 crore club with his latest blockbuster, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (2016). In an eye-opening interview the film-maker, who started off his career with ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998), calls his latest film his “most satisfying piece of work.”

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Johar talked about his film, his career and, of course, Shah Rukh Khan. When asked if he was happy with the performance of his recentt film he replied, “I am very happy and exceptionally content because this is the film I set out to make. It has never happened to me, where I have made a film and not had certain regrets that are like, ‘I wish I had done a few things in a particular manner’ or ‘I wish I had shot something in a particular way.’ But with ADHM, I have no regrets. To me, it’s the most satisfying piece of work [I have done]. It was an internal experience for me, as I felt that many moments from the film were pieces of my life. I was happy to share that emotion on the screen.”

Johar was reminded that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ was his first film to enter the Rs 100-crore club to which he replied, “Yes, since the coinage of the term, technically, it’s my first Rs 100-crore film, and I’m officially a member of the Rs 100-crore club now. But what’s of paramount importance is the worldwide acceptance of the film, and that different audiences have loved it.”

The director made it no secret that this was his toughest movie thus far. “Yes, I must say it was a very daunting task. The toughest two months prior to the release of any film I’ve made were the toughest. There’s so much talk about whether the industry is fragmented or not, but I got a lot love and support from so many members of the film fraternity who helped me ensure a smooth release.” He went on to add, “I will always be grateful to them. I can’t imagine a tougher time in my life, but it has taught me a lot. It made me realise who my true friends and support system are and who aren’t. Or who I can depend on and who I can’t. So, every experience is a teacher.”

Focus then shifted to the new season of ‘Koffee with Karan’ in which King Khan was his opening guest and Johar was very open about the relationship he shares with him. “As I have always said, Shah Rukh Khan is and will always be family. And I believe he also said [on my chat show], ‘I have to constantly prove my love for him (Karan). We have family, love and friendship. We have respect and so much gratitude for each other and for where we have reached. I have always said that Shah Rukh and his family are beyond just family to me. Sometimes, I feel that I don’t have to prove that to anyone. Only he and I know the love that we have for each other.”

Being a chat show host is something Johar enjoys and feels at ease with. “By now, the chat show has become second nature to me. Sitting on that couch and asking questions to movie stars and celebs from the film industry come easily to me. I enjoy and relish that experience. And I love the respect and branding that the show has given me,” he replied.

Johar’s CV includes being a film-maker, a writer, reality show judge, talk show host, producer plus many more. But which role makes him the happiest? “Directing a film is my only passion. The rest are just hobbies; they are the results of my primary passion. And those hobbies pay me well (smiles). My primary passion is film-making.” He went on to say, “That’s the aspect of my life that defines me, completes me and completely grounds me. Everything else – from judging a reality TV show to hosting a talk show – is just a result of me being a film-maker. I am the happiest, satisfied and at peace when I am behind the camera.”

‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ is still out in cinemas.

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