Across six directed films to date, filmmaker Karan Johar has presented his unique interpretation of love, ranging from unrequited to intense emotions. As we celebrate the birthday of this cinematic visionary, it’s a great moment to reflect on his exceptional contributions to romantic drama films, each portraying love in different, soulful forms.
Happy Birthday, Karan Johar!
Even though Yash Chopra was also known for his intense and roaring dramas like ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’, and ‘Kaala Patthar’, he is mostly remembered for the grand romantic sagas that he brought to the silver screen. These love stories were rich in emotion and scale, with an added touch of elegance and charm. One filmmaker who was significantly inspired by Chopra’s work is none other than Karan Johar.
Having acted in Chopra’s son Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut in 1995, Johar absorbed the subtleties of filmmaking. Eventually, he transitioned into direction and production, following the celebrated templates immortalized by Yash Raj Films—passionate romances featuring top-tier stars. Johar has directed six films from 1998 to 2023, most of which are centered around love stories that explore different facets of the same emotion.
Here are Karan Johar’s six films and how they uniquely captured love:
**Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)**
First love is always special. ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ marked Johar’s directorial debut, telling the tale of Rahul, Tina, and Anjali. This film presents a fluffy and frothy love triangle where two women fall for the same man in college. Shah Rukh Khan, in his quintessential style, delivered three iconic dialogues that only he could have made historic: “Pyaar Dosti Hai,” “Hum Ek Baar Jeete Hain, Ek Baar Marte Hain,” and of course, the title itself. In many ways, the film instilled in us the belief that love is indeed rooted in friendship.
**Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)**
Johar reached for the skies with his second film, both in terms of canvas and character complexity. This was a larger-than-life family saga, packed with the emotional range necessary for such a grand narrative—comedy, romance, and tears in abundance. The title and tagline were self-explanatory: “It’s all about loving your family.” With ‘K3G’, as it is fondly abbreviated, the filmmaker revived the grandeur of old cinema, only making it bigger and more sophisticated.
**Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)**
‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ can be seen as Johar’s tribute to ‘Silsila’. Taking a bold step, he explored the theme of infidelity—a notably intricate topic for Indian cinema. Here, Shah Rukh Khan plays a footballer whose career halts due to an accident. He develops feelings of jealousy toward his wife’s successful career and subsequently falls for Rani Mukerji’s character, who is also entrapped in an unsatisfactory marriage. The film draws a parallel to Preity Zinta’s character in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, as both women eventually unite with the men they love but with varying audience reactions—one is rooted for, the other condemned.
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**My Name Is Khan (2010)**
A delicately and affectionately crafted drama, ‘My Name Is Khan’ tackled the repercussions of being a Muslim post-9/11. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, whose on-screen chemistry needs no introduction, the film showcases their effortless bond through spontaneous conversations. As tragedy strikes, the narrative shifts to a profound journey where a man travels to meet the President of the U.S. to declare, “My name is Khan, and I’m not a terrorist.” He undertakes this daunting journey in memory of his late wife, portraying autism with limited expressions yet profound emotion.
**Student of The Year (2012)**
More than a launchpad for Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan, this film also represented a relaunch for Karan Johar himself. Steering away from Shah Rukh Khan, Johar chose debutants for this film. His penchant for grandiose settings was evident throughout this light-hearted entertainer. The college campus rendered an otherworldly ambiance, and the characters exuded fantasy-like charm. Though fundamentally a love story, the film also depicted a fierce competition between two boys for a much-coveted prize, adding layers to its narrative.
**Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)**
Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ became one of the most iconic one-sided lovers in Hindi cinema. His portrayal of unrequited love struck a chord widely on social media, especially with the viral song ‘Channa Mereya’. The film graphically depicted his character’s pain when the woman he loves admits she isn’t attracted to him. The plot further thickens as he finds out she plans to marry another man, culminating in his attempts to make her jealous through another woman—all in vain. Shah Rukh Khan’s cameo wonderfully elucidated why such love, despite its pain, is profoundly fulfilling.
Despite being a venerated filmmaker, Yash Chopra was not just limited to intense dramas like ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’, and ‘Kaala Patthar’; his grand romantic tales left a lasting legacy. Karan Johar, a budding filmmaker inspired by Chopra, took those elements and created his unique narratives. Having directed six distinctive films from 1998 to 2023, Johar’s films are enchanting portrayals of love, distinguished by their distinct emotional depths and cultural narratives.
Each movie directed by Karan Johar has achieved its unique milestone in portraying the timeless, multifaceted emotion of love. On his special day, we celebrate not just the man, but the romantic sagas he’s blessed the cinema with.
