Filmmaker Karan Johar doesn’t shy away from being self-critical. He is a man who uses his experiences and emotional sensibilities in his work and has admittedly kept himself updated through his social associations with “newer and younger energies.”
Johar keeps evolving with changing times, which is probably why he sees his film and its characters in a different light after two decades.
In a recent interview, when asked about his debut film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the director was quick to dissect it and why it wouldn’t work today. The romantic drama was a phenomenal hit in 1998 and became a cult for its then unique subject, fancy set designs, songs, and let’s not forget Rahul aur Anjali ka jhagada!
However, in hindsight, Johar now questions the film’s ethics and gender politics.
“Rahul [played by Shah Rukh Khan] doesn’t stand for very much. He’s a deeply confused character, doesn’t know what he wants and, really, didn’t do a lot much in the movie. Whatever happened to him was because there were people pushing him – his dead wife’s spirit, his eight-year-old daughter, and Anjali herself. What made him endearing was his charm, his large heart and Shah Rukh’s personal charisma.”
He also added, “There was no logic or backstory to the characters. You don’t know what Shah Rukh, or anyone else, does for a living in the movie. And the eight letters – one for each birthday – made no sense, either.”
As for changes he would want in the film today, Johar said he would keep Rahul’s character more real and “more EQ [emotional quotient].”
“I’d also introduce more confrontation. Rahul, today, would be able to have an open conversation with Anjali. He’ll know that she likes him and he’d address that with her. If Tina were to die, he’d come to terms with his feelings for Anjali and go back to her, not sit moping…Today, I’d keep it. Because now I understand, it’s what would make them more human. More real.”
Thought the director-producer has no plans of a reboot, he sees actors Ranveer Singh as Rahul, Alia Bhatt to play Anjali and Janhvi Kapoor as Tina.
“On my wish-list would be Ranveer Singh as Rahul. He has that mad intensity as Shah Rukh Khan. Alia Bhatt as Anjali. She has the spunk and Janhvi Kapoor as Tina because she has the poise and balance of the part,” said Johar.
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