Across his six directed films to date, the iconic filmmaker Karan Johar has provided his own unique interpretations of love, ranging from unrequited to intense. Let’s take a journey through his directorial ventures and the different shades of love they portray.
**Happy Birthday Karan Johar!**
Although Yash Chopra is remembered for his impactful dramas like ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’, and ‘Kaala Patthar’, his grand and heartfelt romantic narratives left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His love stories were filled with sweeping emotions and a carefully crafted canvas, a legacy that inspired many budding filmmakers, including Karan Johar. Having acted in Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut in 1995, Johar absorbed the nuances of filmmaking and eventually transitioned into direction and production. He followed templates immortalised by Yash Raj Films, delivering fervent romances with attractive stars. Between 1998 and 2023, Johar directed six films primarily centered around love, each portraying different facets of the same profound emotion.
Here are his six films and how they uniquely capture love:
**Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)**
Johar debuted as a director with ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ a film that made audiences reminisce about their first love. This iconic love triangle featuring Rahul, Tina, and Anjali became synonymous with early Bollywood romances. Shah Rukh Khan, in his classic King Khan style, made three dialogues memorable: “Pyaar Dosti Hai,” “Hum Ek Baar Jeete Hain, Ek Baar Marte Hain,” and of course, the title itself. The film beautifully conveyed the idea that love is indeed synonymous with friendship.
**Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)**
For his second directorial venture, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,’ Johar aimed for a grand and epic narrative, both in scale and emotional depth. Known affectionately as ‘K3G,’ this film was an extravagant family saga laced with comedy, romance, and copious tears. The tagline, “It’s all about loving your family,” clearly defined its ethos. With ‘K3G,’ Johar revived the old-world charm of cinema on a larger and smarter canvas, blending multiple generations in a beautifully woven tale of family and relationships.
**Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)**
In ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,’ Johar explored the complexities of love and infidelity, drawing inspiration from Yash Chopra’s ‘Silsila.’ The film starred Shah Rukh Khan as a disgruntled footballer, whose career halts due to an injury, leading him to be envious of his wife’s successful career.
. His extramarital affair with Rani Mukerji’s character, who also struggles in her marriage, depicted the darker shades of love and betrayal. ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ evoked mixed reactions from audiences, as it portrayed the conflicting emotions of rooting for one love story while condemning the other.
**My Name Is Khan (2010)**
‘My Name Is Khan’ dealt with a delicate yet powerful narrative about the repercussions of being a Muslim in a post-9/11 world. Shah Rukh Khan played a character with Asperger’s syndrome, embarking on a journey to prove that not all Muslims are terrorists. The film highlighted the subtle yet profound love between Khan’s character and his wife, played by Kajol. Their chemistry, combined with the film’s poignant message, made it an emotionally charged love story. Johar skillfully used Khan’s limited expressions to convey deep love and devotion, making ‘My Name Is Khan’ a standout in his filmography.
**Student of The Year (2012)**
While ‘Student of The Year’ launched the careers of Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan, it also marked a new chapter for Johar, directing a film without Shah Rukh Khan and featuring debutants. The film’s glamorous portrayal of a college campus, complete with lavish costumes and larger-than-life characters, made it a fantastical yet relatable love story. More than the romantic entanglements, the film focused on the spirit of competition and friendship, blurring the lines between love and ambition.
**Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)**
‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ showcased the poignant tale of unrequited love, with Ranbir Kapoor playing the heartbroken lover. The film’s soundtrack, especially the song ‘Channa Mereya,’ became an anthem for one-sided lovers. Kapoor’s character experiences the agony of loving someone who doesn’t reciprocate his feelings and the despair of watching her marry someone else. Shah Rukh Khan’s cameo in the film offered a deep and somewhat ironic reflection on the beauty and pain of unrequited love. His inclusion added a layer of depth to the narrative, underscoring the intense emotions that Johar aimed to depict.
Each of these films reflects Karan Johar’s unique ability to portray various aspects of love, making him one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. From the innocence of first love to the complexities of infidelity, from familial bonds to the pain of unrequited love, Johar’s films have consistently resonated with audiences, earning him a special place in Bollywood’s cinematic history.
