For me, there's no going back, say Karan Johar

Karan Johar, on moving ahead, moving films and moving towards making remakes and reducing extravagance

Karan Johar has just returned from a fifty-day schedule of My Name is Khan from San Francisco, followed by a short break in London. He left right after his birthday bash in May, and now, has returned to oversee the release of two Dharma films Wake Up Sid and Kurban. He will shortly embark on the final schedule of My Name Is Khan (MNIK) in Mumbai. Over coffee and sandwiches, the coolest director in town talks about his films, his shopping indulgences and why he hates hats. Read on...

You must be bummed about MNIK not releasing this year.
Both Shah Rukh and I were keen to release it this year. But there were some factors that were beyond our control. Now, because of this delay, Shah Rukh doesn't have a release this year and that is unfortunate. But the circumstances were beyond our control.

Some of the delay was caused by his surgery?
Not really. Yes, the surgery did push us ahead but also the fact that this is a very tough film to film. Other factors have delayed it. A lot of scheduling had to be done... also there was a lot of computer graphic work. So, we just took a call that we won't be rushing for no rhyme or reason. Let's not push it.

So early next year?
Hopefully. We are looking at a Jan or Feb release.

But you have Kurban and Wake Up Sid ready for release. How involved are you as a producer?
Up to a point, really. I need to have faith in the director, which I obviously do, because that's why he is directing a film for me. Once we go through the process of greenlighting the script, scheduling, and structuring the cast and list of technicians, I step out. Because I feel like every filmmaker has to find his or her voice. And there is no point in me sitting there and confusing them. I think that every individual whether it is Tarun or Aayan, or Rensil everyone has his own voice and it has nothing to do with me.

But in the end, it's your call on the final product...
They really come as creative suggestions. And I think, sometimes, if I feel very strongly about something, I might try and convince the director, rather than enforce my opinion. But, by large, it's the director's voice, and being a filmmaker, I know the importance of making a film based on your convictions. In fact, my deciding factor to work with a filmmaker is how original he is. I like that the fact that they combat what I say. That they are so convinced about what they feel that no matter what I am saying, they are not buying it.

The climax of Dostana was changed. Whose idea was that?
That was entirely Tarun's call. He came to me and said, 'Look, I have shot it and I don't think it works.' I looked at it and I said, 'Ya, you may be right.' Initially, I made him opt for the safe climax. Tarun kept saying, 'It's an edgy film, lets push the envelope.' And finally, he came to me and said, 'Look, I have shot it the way you wanted, but it is not working with the narrative.' So I told him to come up with something that worked. He came back to me in two days. Tarun works like that. He is very spontaneous. He can write an entire script in a week. He can lock himself in a room and sit and finish it. He came back and said, 'It has two of the protagonists kissing.' And I said, 'WHAT???' Tarun said he would write it and show it to me, he did and we all thought it worked. Again, that reiterates that, eventually, it is the conviction of the director that is paramount, and not mine.

True. Dostana didn't look like a film directed by you, Kal Ho Na Ho did.
(Pauses) Dostana is definitely all Tarun. Of course, it has the prerequisites of a Dharma film, like the glamour, the costuming and the whole look and feel but it's otherwise the performances, the way he moves the story ahead. It's Tarun's baby.

And is the sequel happening?
It's definitely happening,

Abhishek and John are in?
We can't do Dostana 2 without Abhishek and John. They are indispensable.

John has been quoted as saying that this time, he wants "an acting" part.
I don't know what is not an acting part, ever. I mean every role is an acting part. Everyone had to act, it's what actors do. I thought John was great in Dostana and I am sure that Abhishek and John's chemistry the film's USP shines again in the sequel.

And Katrina is on for the sequel?
We haven't decided any other cast of Dostana 2.

Is there any chance of Kareena coming in the film, now that she and Abhishek are on speaking terms again u00e2u0080u0094 it was one of the many patch-ups that happened at your birthday party.
There's much ado about these breaks-ups and patch-ups. I think, internally, what equation they share is something for them to comment on, but I am sure Abhishek and Kareena are more than open to working with each other, whenever they have a chance. Right now, I don't have a film for which I am considering this cast. I think everyone is over and above whatever issues they've had in the past.

Your birthday turned into a UN peace convention, didn't it? So many people put aside their differences and became friends again.
It was meant to be a fun party to celebrate my 37th birthday. I try and have a party a year, because I have decided that I may not get married and I may not have a series of functions related to big weddings. So I thought, what I can do for myself is have a birthday party every year. I absolutely love my birthday and I love receiving calls, text messages, gifts and global importance on that one day. I love every bit of it. I am glad some good things happen at the party. I thought it was a great fun party,u00a0 it had great energy, and there was an air of positivity all around and I think that may have translated into some fantastic conversations between people. I did not intend for it to become this alleged peace convention it was projected as. It was a fun party of people I know and love, and if they felt the love, for each other, God bless them.

They were some people who felt offended because you left them out, will they be in your next guest list?
Everyone who is important to me, was there.

Why did you change the title from Jihaad (now Kurban). Also, any worries about your film being similar to New York?
Rensil was never keen on this title because he wanted the title to resonate the love story much more than the terror angle. Both Rensil and I feel that the love story is the basic moving point of this film. Comparisons to New York are inevitable because they revolve around global terrorism but there are no similarities except maybe atmospheric one, that's bound to happen because they are both about a certain issue. Otherwise, story-wise and narrative-wise, they are totally different films.

There were reports of tension between you and Adi because of the similar subjects.
I would be really stupid to be best friends with Aditya Chopra and make the same film. Both Adi and I were completely in the loop of it. What saddens me is that, now, for no reason there will be a comparison whereas it could've been avoided. Kurban is entirely different from New York. And I hope that like New York got accepted, this one will too.

Dharma was known for certain kind of films..but now that's changing. Even the film you are making is different. Would you want to revisit what you are best known for?
For me, there is never going back, there is always going forward. I think that films I produced and directed were my sensibility at the time. I feel like doing things that make a difference to me today. Whatever I am producing and directing are films I feel like doing today. I don't think I can write a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or a Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham ever again.

Not even if people expect that from you?
I get a lot of people coming and telling me, 'Make another KKHH.' I can't. I don't have that innocence, I don't have that rawness and I don't have that love for love anymore. And so it doesn't come to me naturally. It would be me, trying to be me in 1998, and I am not interested. I want to do films that move me today. Some times they are subjects that have social relevance and sometimes they are subjects that are simple and sweet. Like Wake-up Sid.u00a0 I am so excited because Dharma is producing so many films and we are working with new energies and talent, and they are bringing their own ideas. A lot of these films I am incapable of making on my own, so I am happy to produce them.

But it's easier to direct now?
I mean, ya, now when I read my scene, I know when to break it up. I know how to shoot it, I know I can place it, and take all kinds of shots and I know I will shoot the scene but sometimes it's mechanical but sometimes the content is different, and it excites you in a different way, and it pushes you out of that space.u00a0 But in KKHH, every shot I took was unsure. Every moment I created was insecure. Also what happens is that with expectations, you feel you have to deliver. And in the process of trying to deliver, you exact yourself a lot. Which takes away from spontaneity, and what is not spontaneous, is never really great.

What's with the remakes: Stepmom and Agneepath?
Siddharth (Malhotra) developed Stepmom and he came to me with it. Ironically, it is also one of my favourite emotional films. I love a good cry and I remember watching it in London in 1998, with my friend Sheena and 80 people in that tiny hall, and I remember we wept our guts out. I cried so much, that I had a cold after that. And I thought it was a great film idea for India. Ten years later, Siddharth comes with a developed idea and I decided to make it but through the official route. We went and got the rights. And we said we will do it if we get the best possible cast for it, and that we did.

What about Agneepath
Agneepath is a very important film for me. My father's biggest disappointment in life was the failure of Agneepath. Because it was so respected, so revered and had a huge cult following but commercially, it didn't appreciate. Also I think it was one of Amit uncle's finest performances. I remember that it broke my father's heart at that point that they didn't refer to it as a commercial success, and he always brought it up. And I decided to do this remake for him, and hopefully, it will work this time.

One hears that you are considering Hrithik for the role. Wouldn't Abhishek be a natural choice for it?
We haven't cast it as yet. That will come when the scripting is ready. We are changing the film. It will be more modern; set in present time. It will be more like a biopic of an underworld don.

Will you ever shoot a film entirely in India?
I would love to. Unfortunately, my last two films have subjects that I had to shoot abroad. I could not made KANK here, because you can't have an extramarital affair here, without a mausi, chachi or neighbour finding out. And Khan, because of its subject..

Khan is your most expensive film yet?
Yes, it is. We always knew it was going to be a big film, but with recession, and changes in the dollar price, it became more expensive, and now Shah Rukh has stepped in as co-producer to help me.

Are you capable of making a small-budget film? Or at least, an economical one like Adi Chopra?
My CEO, Apurva and my Sindhi mother, are constantly trying to get me to control my expenses. But yes, I am learning to do away with the extravagance.

Including your shopping?
That's my mom's nightmare. I tell her I find everything on sale. (laughs) I think in her heart of hearts, she knows I am bluffing. I just bought a trench coat. I don't know when and where I will wear it, but I love spending on clothes, shoes, belts etc.

Which hat do you wear best, producer, director, TV host...
I don't knowu00e2u0080u00a6 I hate hats. I tried buying a few, but they didn't look good on me. I think I am happiest as a director, the others are just extensions of my personality and my work.

Why have you stopped blogging?
I know, I started off with a bang but then, it fizzled out. I know that I should go back to it, but I don't have the drive or the time. Eventually, I will start blogging again. Till then, I am very happy Facebook-ing.