Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor’s association with Karan Johar dates back to 2018 when she marked her debut with Dhadak. Over the years, she has worked with him on Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani where she had a cameo appearance. Up next for her is Mr & Mrs Mahi, which marks her fourth collaboration with Karan. Their friendship naturally is no secret with the duo showering praises on one another every now and then.
Karan, because of his flamboyant and unhinged personality, has had a certain perception attached to him. While many admire him for his larger-than-life storytelling and dramatic sartorial sensibilities, others have often accused him of being the ‘flag bearer of nepotism’. Now, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Janhvi busts the myths surrounding Karan, the star-maker.
She tells us, “I don’t know if intimidating is the right word to describe Karan. He has got a very strong and vibrant personality. He has got a lot of energy when he’s doing his talk show. But the one thing I’ve realised is that he’s truly aware of social politics. I’ve always noticed him taking a stand for what’s correct. I’ve always appreciated that in him.”
Talking about how the Kuch Kuch Hota director often translates his values in his films, Janhvi adds, “Look at the way in which he depicts Alia’s (Bhatt) character in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani! The film is a testament to what he feels about feminism and gender roles in real life. He’s very protective of people’s individual rights.”
Lauding him for always valuing his directors and encouraging their ambitions, she says, “The one thing I noticed about him is how protective he is of his assistant directors and directors. He really looks out for everyone in his office. Actors are, of course, prioritised in every production house but Dharma is one production house where he personally gets involved in protecting the rights of the director, their creative vision and creative freedom and the integrity of the story.”
Janhvi also recalls that her earliest interactions with Karan which happened before she began shooting for Dhadak. “I used to meet him on and off at social events. But my first few proper interactions with him was at his office. I don’t remember if I had signed Dhadak by then but there was a conversation of me doing another Dharma film,” shares the actor who has Karan’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari in the pipeline.
Janhvi continues, “I would go to his office once every week and he would give me a scene. Sharan (Sharma) was his AD at that point and Karan was working on Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Sharan’s job was to print out a scene every day from films like Jab We Met and Kapoor & Sons, among others, and give it to. As homework, I had to learn it and come and audition for Karan although he never referred to it as an audition. I think he was just gauging me.”
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