Shabana Azmi ‘blasted’ Karan Johar after watching Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: ‘She was aghast’

Filmmaker Karan Johar made his directorial debut in 1998 with “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji. The film continues to be a fan favourite, but the director feels the romantic-drama is the most politically incorrect film. It past 23 years of the film bht still it has newness and freshness continue among his fans.

“KKHH(kuch kuch hota hai) is the most politically incorrect film. I remember (actress) Shabana Azmi saw the film somewhere in the UK and she called me. She was aghast,” he recalled, adding: “She told me, ”what have you shown? That a girl has short hair, so she”s not attractive, and now her hair is long and she”s pretty? What do you have to say to this?” I said I”m sorry. She said, ”what? that”s all you have to say?” I said yes because I know you”re right.”

Karan Johar added he approached to Aishwarya Ray, Tabbu, and Urmila for this role but no one responded his request except Aishwarya Ray Bachchan. He said Aish called me back and said politely no for this movie. Rani Mukerji was recommended by Aditya Chopra at the last moment.

Why Shabana Azmi scolded Karan Johar

Shabana wasn’t happy with how Kajol’s character was perceived. Recalling his conversation with Shabana, Karan said, “She told me, ‘what have you shown? That a girl has short hair, so she’s not attractive, and now her hair is long and she’s pretty? What do you have to say to this?’ I said I’m sorry. She said, what? That’s all you have to say?’ I said yes because I know you’re right.”

Movie proves Stereotypes

Here she means that how could I show the typical Stereotypes mind set towards women hair. She claimed that I used short hair to show that a women in short hair not looks attractive and beautiful but in the second half present the same women with long hair and everyone pretend that she is beautiful and attractive now with long hair and desi saari.

Karan Johar made his directorial debut in 1998 with Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji starrer ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of that year and is still loved by the audience at large. However, director Karan Johar has certain regrets and admits that it was a problematic film.

Back in the day, Karan was also yelled at by actress Shabana Azmi when she watched the film. Karan had once told, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is the most politically incorrect film. I remember Shabana Azmi saw the film somewhere in the UK and she called me. She was aghast.”