Karan Johar Says His Dad Fell Asleep When He Was Narrating Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mom Told Him ‘Abhi Bhi Der Nahi Hui’

Karan Johar, in a recent interaction, recalled how his parents, Yash and Hiroo Johar were skeptical about him taking up direction.

After assisting Aditya Chopra on his 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Karan Johar made his debut as a director with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, the romantic drama was a box office success and has achieved a cult status over the years.

Recently, in an interaction during the Toronto International Film Festival, Karan Johar recalled how his parents were skeptical about his career choice. Recalling his first time of shoot, the filmmaker said that his mother Hiroo Johar woke him up at 5 am and asked him if he wanted to back out of his debut and ask Aditya Chopra to helm the film instead.

Karan Johar shared, “I woke up and said ‘what happened?’ I thought something had happened because she was sitting at my bedside. And she said ‘do you know where to place the camera?’” When Karan looked at her and said yes, she said, “‘Abhi bhi der nahi hui hai. (If) you can’t do it, ring up Adi and tell him, tu direct kar le yeh picture, mujhe nahi karni. I’ll support you’ (It’s not too late. If you don’t want to direct this movie, call Adi and ask him to direct in you place. I’ll support you).”

Further, the director recalled how his producer-father, Yash Johar fell asleep when he was narrating the script of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to him.

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“When I was narrating Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to him, he fell asleep. Then I said, ‘Papa, aap so rahe ho. (Papa, you are sleeping.)’ He said, ‘Gaana aa gaya tha. (There was a song.)’ I said ‘Main gaa nahi raha tha (I wasn’t singing)’,” he shared at the event.

KJo said that when he actually walked on the set and was asked about camera placement, his mother’s voice was in his head. It took him a minute but he found his groove and knew what he had to do.

Cut to present, Karan marked 25 years in the film industry this year and his many hit films to his credit. His last directorial was Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt starrer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani in 2023.