Across his six directed films to date, the filmmaker Karan Johar has presented his interpretation of love uniquely in each, spanning from unrequited to intense.
Happy Birthday Karan Johar! Even though Yash Chopra was also known for his raging and roaring dramas like ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’ and ‘Kaala Patthar’, he’s mostly remembered and recalled for the gorgeous and grand romantic sagas he created on celluloid. His love stories had sweep and soul, and the canvas was mounted with care and charm. One of the earlier filmmakers, or budding filmmakers, that he inspired was Karan Johar. Having acted in Chopra’s son Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut in 1995, Johar may have imbibed the nuances of filmmaking. He eventually turned to direction and production and followed similar templates immortalized by Yash Raj Films—fervent romances with attractive stars.
Over the years, Johar has crafted six films, from 1998 to 2023, that delve into various shades of love. Today, we celebrate his birthday by exploring the unique narratives of love captured in each of his directorial ventures. Here are his six films and how they captured love differently:
#### Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
First love is always special. ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ marked Johar’s directorial debut. It tells the story of Rahul, Tina, and Anjali. In college, two women fall in love with the same man, Rahul, in what remains a fluffy, frothy triangle. Shah Rukh Khan, in vintage King Khan style, delivered three iconic dialogues that only SRK could have made historic: “Pyaar Dosti Hai,” “Hum Ek Baar Jeete Hain, Ek Baar Marte Hain,” and of course, the title itself. In many ways, the film made us believe that love is indeed friendship.
#### Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
Johar aimed for the skies with his second outing as a director, both in terms of canvas and characters. ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ is your larger-than-life family saga with all the emotions needed to make a film of this stature—comedy, romance, and copious tears. The title and the tagline were self-explanatory: it’s all about loving your family. With ‘K3G’, as it’s fondly abbreviated, the old grandeur of cinema returned, bigger and more extravagant than ever before.
#### Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ was in many ways the filmmaker’s ode to ‘Silsila’. The man, who perpetuated the idea of true love with immense help from his perpetual leading man, attempted the theme of infidelity with his third film. For the first time, Shah Rukh Khan’s signature arm-swinging was viewed with disdain as it was for a woman outside his married life. He’s a footballer whose career halts post-accident, and he becomes envious of his wife’s flourishing career. Rani Mukerji, the woman he loves, also falls for him. She has a lovely husband but becomes a victim of this callous love.
. Her story draws parallels with Preity Zinta from ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Both women ultimately unite with the men they love, but their circumstances evoke contrasting reactions from the audience. Johar indeed recognized these delicate narrative nuances.
#### My Name Is Khan (2010)
‘My Name Is Khan’ is a delicately and affectionately crafted drama about the repercussions of being a Muslim in a post-9/11 world. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, frequent collaborators with undeniable chemistry, artfully conveyed their characters’ depth and affection. The film’s first hour is a lighthearted joy before transitioning to its entangled themes. The narrative follows a man on a mission to meet the President of the United States to declare, “My name is Khan, and I’m not a terrorist.” His journey is not for self-clarification but for his wife. His autism limits his outward emotions, but we feel his love deeply. For the first time, Khan’s restrained expressions perfectly conveyed the profound love he felt.
#### Student of The Year (2012)
More than the launchpad for Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan, ‘Student of The Year’ was also a relaunch for Karan Johar himself. This project was his first without SRK as his leading man and his first featuring debutants. True to form, Johar painted on a grand canvas. The fantasy-like college campus, the actors’ ensembles, and the characters transported audiences to a land of dreams. While the film was a love story, the narrative also hinged on the quest for the titular prize, with the two male leads vying for it—a unique take on love and competition intertwined.
#### Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
Ranbir Kapoor is certainly not Hindi cinema’s first one-sided lover, but the blazing popularity of ‘Channa Mereya’ has made him one of the most iconic. Kapoor’s character experiences the full spectrum of unrequited love in vivid, poignant scenes. From the moment his love interest straightforwardly admits she’s not attracted to him, to his desperation upon learning of her marriage to another man, and his unsuccessful attempts at making her jealous, the emotional intensity resonates. SRK’s cameo wonderfully elucidated why such unreciprocated love is a profound feeling, although his usual ease in winning women’s hearts posed quite a contrast. Why didn’t Johar himself take on this cameo role remains an intriguing question.
Karan Johar’s journey in filmmaking reflects a varied yet consistent exploration of love in its many forms. Each of his films offers a distinct perspective, capturing the essence of romance and the myriad complexities it entails. Today, we celebrate Johar’s contributions to romantic cinema, wishing him continued success in crafting stories that touch our hearts.
