By Hindustan Times
There could have been Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham in director Karan Johar's life who has turned 40 today. But there is a remarkable difference between Karan Johar at 26 and 'the KJo' at 40.
At 26, he was the debutante director of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, who showed great potential. At 40, he's a person with many hats. He's a notable director who got critical popularity of his latest directorial venture My Name Is Khan, he's also a prolific producer who has given the most important hit of 2012, Agneepath. And yes he's making waves on Twitter besides. He has crossed the million followers mark at the micro-blogging site. For those who thought that is it, KJo could also be co-judging Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa with Madhuri Dixit.
Starting out as an assitant director in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge, Karan Johar reportedly helped Aditya Chopra in developing the screenplay of the film also. He also did a little role within the landmark romcom.
He shot to prominence with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which was an enormous success in every real way. The film not just did exceedingly well commercially, it also won a countrywide Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. KJo had arrived in a large way.
Then came Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham which minted money on the box office again and took away five filmfare awards. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna broke records in overseas, not in India though. My Name Is Khan again was an overseas blockbuster. Arising next is Student Of The Year which stars an array of newcomers.
Though Johar Jr has worked both within the capacity of a director and a producer, his success rate have been enormous. So how does he be ready to sustain his Dostana with the box-office?
Karan seems to have a robust business acumen that frequently sniffs talent. So be it Nikhil Advani, who directed Kal Ho Na Ho for him or Tarun Mansukhani who churned out a fascinating gay comedy within the type of Dostana or for that matter Ayan Mukherjee who made Get up Sid, Karan Johar was choosing the right directors for his 'babies' (read production ventures). He may even trust a brand new director with a project and make it successful. Karan Malhotra's Agneepath and Shakun Batra's Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu were both helmed by debutante directors.
Karan Johar has now decided to partner with Rohit Shetty of Golmaal fame. That is the primary time Dharma Productions, under Karan’s reign, has signed on a longtime director for a film.
His formula seems to have worked to this point. Will it work for Abhishek Bachchan starrer Dostana 2 and Ranbir-Deepika's Ye Jawani Hai Deewani? If we glance at his track record, there is a high chance of success.
Directors launched by Karan Johar
Nikhil Advani (Kal Ho Na Ho, 2003)
Soham Shah (Kaal, 2005)
Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana, 2008)
Ayan Mukerji (GET UP Sid, 2009)
Rensil D’Silva (Kurbaan, 2009)
Punit Malhotra (I Hate Luv Storys, 2009)
Siddharth Malhotra (WE'RE Family, 2010)
Karan Malhotra (Agneepath, 2012)
Shakun Batra (Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, 2012)
