Karan Johar turns 53 today on May 25th. The film director has guided seven films in 27 years from his 1998 blockbuster directorial debut, Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai, and produced dozens of films. Take a look at Karan Johar’s 10 favorite movies, as shared with Lehren in 2007.
Karan Yohar chose Raj Kapoor and Yash Chopra to have two major influences on his filmography. He welcomed Awara as the best script ever written in the history of Hindi cinema and praised the romance of Raj Kapoor and Nargis characters.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis from Awaara.
Sholay (1975)
Johar shares Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 hit pot boiler. This is a textbook that is more than a film. He said that many scenes from the film even today came across as modern times as the script by Salim-Javed still looks so fresh.
Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan from Sholay.
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Karan Johar revealed that the nuances of the romance and interpersonal relationships that Yash Chopra attempted in Amitabha Bachchan and Rakihee Starrer had an impact on the 2006 film Kabi Albida Naa Kena.
Amitab Bachchan and Rakihi Gurzar from Kabie.
Masoom (1984)
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Johar recalled that he was crying after screening Shekhar Kapoor’s directorial debut, as long as his mother, Hilu Johar, had to escort him from the theater.
Jugal Hansraj and Naseeruddin Shah of Masoom.
Lamb (1991)
Karan Johar shared that Yash Chopra’s age gap romance did not click along with the audience, but that both he and Chopra considered Sridevi and Anil Kapoor Starr as the less-loved babies of the late legendary film director.
Still Anil Kapoor and Sridevi from Ram. (Photo: yrf)
Hum Aapke Hain Koun ..! (1994)
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Karan Yohar remembered how he thought about becoming a director when Aditya Chopra invited him to a special screening for an expanded version of Soraj Barjatya’s sophomore special. Johar was blown away by the director’s belief in musical romance.
Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan in hum aapke hain koun.
Satya (1998)
Yohar admitted that he and Ram Gopal Varma don’t always get along well, but that would not stop the former from appreciating the latter’s original gangster film. The filmmaker called Manoj Bajpayee’s performance Bhiku Mhatre, bringing his career to the best.
Manoj Bajpayee from Ram Gopal Varma movie Satya. (File photo)
Lagaan (2001)
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Karan Yohar was convinced that he would not be able to challenge the superiority of his mega-budget family drama, Mhabi Khushi Mhabi Gum, until he watched sports dramas from the Ashutosh Gwalikar era, which changed the rules of Hindi cinema.
Amir Khan and Daya Shankar Pandi from Ragaan.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
Yohar considers Rajkumar Hirani’s cult comedy to be a Haak back to the cinemas of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, which easily blends family-friendly entertainment with important social messaging. He also praised Sanjay Dutt Stirah for redefining Mahatma Gandhi to all generations.
Sanjay Dutt and Bhoman Irani from the film “Rage Raho Munna Bai.” (Express archive photo)
Also Read: Karan Johar’s Dadak 2 was cleared with U/A certificate by CBFC after 16 cuts related to caste-based references, slurs and violence
Chak Do! India (2007)
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Shah Rukh Khan is from Chak De! India.
Karan Yohar claimed that Shah Luk Khan’s performance as Kabir Khan, the women’s hockey team coach, was his best. He also praised film writer Jaidep Sani for incorporating themes such as women’s empowerment and national unity in Simit Amin’s sports drama.
