Karan Johar admits Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was problematic

Karan Johar’s first directorial venture, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, holds a special position in Bollywood’s history, hailed as an iconic film since its release in 1998. Over time, however, the movie faced criticism for perpetuating toxic masculinity and regressive notions concerning female representation, sparking debates about its underlying themes.

Acknowledging the film’s problematic elements, Karan Johar openly addressed its flaws, citing an impactful critique from veteran actress Shabana Azmi. At the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne in 2019, Johar recalled Azmi’s candid reaction upon watching the film. She expressed disappointment regarding its on-screen portrayal, labelling KKHH as “the most politically incorrect film.” Azmi particularly raised concerns about the stereotypical link between a girl’s beauty and the length of her hair. Karan humbly accepted her viewpoint, admitting, “I know you’re right,” in response to her passionate critique.

Reflecting on the casting process, Johar shared an anecdote about pitching the film to Shah Rukh Khan without a script, relying solely on a scene to captivate the actor’s interest. Despite initial refusals from prominent actresses like Tabu, Urmila Matondkar, and Aishwarya Rai, Karan reminisced about Rani Mukerji’s eventual casting after  a recommendation from Aditya Chopra.