Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani: How Karan Johar redefined friendship and love for a whole generation

May 25 marks the birthday of filmmaker Karan Johar and this time it is more special as he completes 25 years as a director in 2023. In 1998, Karan started his journey on the director’s chair and churned out 6 gems since then from that position. In 2023, he marks his 25 directing years with his next Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. To make his birthday more special for his audience, he also unveiled the Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh starrer’s first look on the occasion.

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The excitement and curiosity around Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani first look posters was quite high. And the final product lived up to that. But there is a reason why the audience is always so invested in Karan’s directorial. Since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, the filmmaker has been redefining love and friendship for a whole generation. This connect stems from there. As Karan Johar celebrates his birthday today, here’s a look at how he has achieved that in his 7 directorial till date.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

I think the whole 90s generation learnt that ‘pyaar dosti hai’ from this Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji starrer. True love entails sacrifice and sometimes it comes even twice in life, KKHH gave us a lot to romanticise. Karan sure did made a smashing debut with this one and its cult status is a testament to that.

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Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

After showing what romantic love is all about, Karan showed that love for family is also something as important and beautiful. Getting an ensemble cast including greats like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor, Karan gave a gem that shines bright even today. As we all know, “Aankhen band karke apni maa aur papa ka naam lo … phir dekhna har manzil paar kar jaoge, har mushkil aasaan ho jayegi … jeet tumhari hogi, sirf tumhari.”

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Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

We had always seen true love being romanticised as only one in life. With KANK, Karan took a bold step of showing that your true love might not be the one you think. The initial infatuation might not be long lasting and your true love might be out of your relationship. KANK was a bold step then but the filmmaker did it so sensitively. And kudos to the cast as well which included SRK, Rani, Abhishek Bachchan and Priety Zinta.

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My Name Is Khan

After showing pure romantic love, family love and forbidden love, Karan gave one of his most emotional and intense film that dealt with humanitarian love. Being discriminated on your religion is a problem many still face today. But true love don’t seek what the other person’s religion is, and that is what SRK and Kajol portrayed. Yet, the discrimination in the society can affect that too, and My Name Is Khan showed that.

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Student Of The Year

After showing the college life of 90s, Karan showed the college life of the 2010s with 3 debutantes- Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra. The time changed, the stature changed but what didn’t was the complication of love. This film showed that no matter how bad things might get, friendship has the power to overcome everything. It happens differently with different people but the essence of it is always love.

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Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

While true love getting its destination is always celebrated, with ADHM, Karan celebrated unrequited love. Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan showed that one’s love might not get the reciprocation one might want. Also, sometimes friendships are better left off that way instead of turning into a romance. And who can forget, “Ek tarfa pyaar ki taakat hi kuch aur hai…”

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Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Karan is back at the director’s chair after 7 years. If the first look is something to go by, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is surely a banger. It seems like an amalgamation of two things Karan is known for love and family. And if there is someone in this industry who knows how to make a proper and lavish family drama, it is KJo. Add to it the chemistry between Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, you have a winner at hand.

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Karan sure does have a midas touch when it comes to his direction. How else can someone explain his 100 percent success rate as a director. Fortunately, the wait for his next directorial won’t be long. He has already announced an actioner as his next, and that surely will be something new for him. Till then, as we wait for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to hit the theatres on July 28, we thank Karan Johar for this amazing first look. And we also wish him a very happy birthday.

Also Read: 25 years of director Karan Johar: Aaj bhi Kuch Kuch Hota Hai when we see the first glimpses of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani- WATCH