Karan Johar reveals how he assembled bollywood royalty for 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' in a single day

Some Bollywood films stand the test of time and become timeless classics. One such gem is "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham," released in 2001. Directed by the prolific Karan Johar, this movie not only left an indelible mark on Indian cinema but also showcased the power of a star-studded ensemble cast.

Recently, in a candid chat with designer Prabal Gurung for Gold House, Karan Johar took us on a journey down memory lane, revealing the intriguing story of how he managed to assemble a dream team of actors for this iconic film, all in one unforgettable day.

Karan began his narration with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and his wife, Jaya Bachchan. "I went to all the actors in one day," he shared, "I went to Mr. Bachchan first out of seniority. He heard the outline and he said 'Of course,' and he was on board. Then I left his house and I dialed Jaya Aunty, and she said 'But you were just here what happened?' I said, 'I want to meet you now.' I didn't want her to believe that I came just to meet Mr. Bachchan and then her. I left the house, drove around the block, I called her, and came back and then I narrated the film to her. She was like, 'I can never say no to you.'"

The heartwarming story continued as Karan Johar recalled approaching the other luminaries of his cast. He went to meet Shah Rukh, while he was shooting at Mehboob studios. SRK said to KJo, 'Why are you narrating the film to me? We're doing this.' Then he went to Kajol. She got emotional, and he too got emotional and they both cried. 

Karan further said, "And then I went to meet Hrithik. His first film hadn't been released, but I had a lot of faith in him. He said yes and my last meeting was with Kareena Kapoor at her house. She had no interest in the first half because she wasn't in it. She only wanted to know what happens to her, and I remember her looking at me and she says, 'This is going to be an iconic part.'"

Karan Johar's ability to assemble this dream team in a single day is a testament to his vision and storytelling prowess.