Exclusive: Karan Johar says, ‘I will cast for my new film after returning from NY’

Aesthete, style maven and someone with an original point of view in Bollywood — Karan Johar has always refined and redefined his cinematic craft over the years. Is there anything this man can’t do? It’s hard to match his dance steps at a wedding and his curated closet is a cornucopia of incomparable style and varied influences. However, reflecting on the past and resting on laurels isn’t his trait. He’s far from that. Perhaps that self-effacing charm and his ability to constantly reinvent and go charging ahead relentlessly makes him the most inspiring success phenomenon Indian cinema has ever seen. It’s incredible how he wears an array of hats — single parent, filmmaker, 
television host and judge, actor and model effortlessly — and yet make it seem so easy. 

His tight-as-a-Léger schedule and hectic pace of life have only gone to prove that he enjoys what he does. So when he tells you that he has actually gifted himself a five-day birthday vacay in the Big Apple, you just want him to have a terrific time and wait for his Insta updates. New York’s landscape, energy and people have long been part of his cinematic mood board so it’s natural that he picked the city for some much-needed R&R.

Of course, before he boards the flight out, you put your phone on flight mode and quickly record what he has to say.  Excerpts…

Five days in New York...Is that your birthday plan?

Yes, it is. I have worked non-stop for the last year (including Sundays) and I am happy that my office has actually granted me a short break (smiles). My gift to myself on my 46th birthday today is this long-haul flight to NY. When I’m there, I’m going to indulge in my three favourite ‘R’s — rest, relaxation and retail. I just want some me time and what better way than to do what I’m doing.

Congratulations on Raazi. Are you counting the profits yet?

No, no. Apoorva Mehta (my friend and CEO at Dharma Productions) will do that in due course. Right now, all of us are just celebrating the film. We’re extremely grateful to Meghna Gulzar for giving us this wonderfully empowering movie that is still winning hearts. Raazi is an important production for us and we are truly happy with the way it is going.

From Raazi you move to Dhadak, another film that looks exciting because it will launch two new stars?

Well, Dhadak is important on two counts. It is the Hindi remake of Nagraj Manjule’s celebrated super hit Sairat (Marathi). And I hope our director Shashank Khaitan gives us a film that lives up to the standards set by the original. Dhadak is also important because we have in it two new actors — Janhvi and Ishaan, both of who are fine actors. Our responsibility on this film doesn’t just end with the release. Post the movie, we will continue to stay invested in Janhvi and Ishaan because at Dharma, when we introduce new talent, it is a long-standing commitment. We don’t just invest in their careers; we also invest in them emotionally and we are committed to hand-hold them for as long as they wish.

Are you proud of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra’s achievements in the last six years since Student of the Year (SOTY)?

I can’t even start to tell you how proud my three students have made me. My real journey as a parent began on October 19, 2012, when I launched them. If you see my phone, you will see that I talk to each of them at least once a day till date. I am so happy with the way their careers have shaped up and with the kind of people they have become.

When I did SOTY, I knew it was not a film that would move mountains. It was meant to be a fun film and I genuinely didn’t think it would become the ‘entity’ it did. At that stage, I didn’t foresee that my three students will go out there and achieve what they have.  Now, I can tell you that I feel blessed to be able to parent Alia, Sidharth and Varun.

Speaking of parenting, how are your twins — Roohi and Yash — doing?

I am eternally grateful and thankful to my mother (Hiroo Johar). Her maternal instincts as a mother and grandmother ensure she gives them and me the best care and affection. Between mum and me, we are perfectly coordinated to co-parent Roohi and Yash. When I take breaks like the current one, my mother looks after the kids. And when I’m back, I’ll coax her to take a short break. So, we have it all worked out. The twins are just a year and three months old, so till such time as they are old enough to travel frequently, mum and I are happy to take turns to ensure that one of us is always staying home with them.

Is there a special birthday wish?

I am living my wish by taking this long-haul flight and short vacation where I can give myself some me time. I hope to come back refreshed and rejuvenated.  I’m excited about the break and I am also excited that I have finalised the script for my next directorial venture that should roll next year. I’ll cast for my new film after returning from New York.