Karan Johar: I am tired of the box office fight

Karan Johar has a dream, and he wants a filmmaker to fulfil it. His dream, he says, is that he wants to act in a film not made by him.

The filmmaker recently spoke to media about his stint in the new season of dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, where he returns as judge alongside Madhuri Dixit and choreographer Remo D’Souza.

He claims the timing for the new show is perfect, as it coincides with the release of his latest production, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which releases May 31.

Here’s presenting excerpts from Karan’s candid chat with the media.

You are back on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa...

Yes, I had a great time with Remo D’Souza and Madhuri Dixit last year. We three have a good tuning as judges on the show. I’m glad they have asked me to do it again.

It’s double excitement for you, since Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa premieres on the weekend and your film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani releases this Friday.

Yes. When they said the show will premiere on June 1, the first thing that came to my mind was promotion of my film.

I said, make Ranbir (Kapoor) dance on the show. There would be a kind of synergy because Remo has choreographed the song Badtameez Dil for the film, and Madhuri has danced with Ranbir in an item song, Ghagra.

 So it was perfect timing. I think Jhalak has helped us by premiering on June 1 (smiles).

Do you see yourself producing or directing anything on TV?

With full assurance I can say that I have no interest in directing/producing any TV shows.

I am tired of the box office fight so I can't do the TRP fight now.

My job is to make films for the box office and match its expectations. That is my responsibility.

I don't understand this business where they kill the characters or make them go, then get back after 20 years to increase the TRPs. I don’t want to get into a territory I am not familiar with.

You can take tips from Ekta Kapoor…

Ekta is a good friend. Hats off to her! I always tell her that she is the only person who can balance both films and television very well.

I know that I can do films with her but not television.

You have surprised everyone with your dance moves in the promos and at the press conference.

There is no director who has hosted a talk show or an awards function. With dancing also I thought the series of firsts should be maintained.

There is no other hidden talent in me because I can’t sing or paint. All my talents have been displayed already (smiles).

 Now I think I should do a full-fledged acting role in a film. Not to play myself, but as a character in the film. I hope some director fulfils my dream because I will not sign myself in my film. I don’t know if I am that good as an actor.

So whose idea was it to make you dance?

Definitely not mine (smiles). It was completely the channel’s idea.

I don’t have the calibre to dance with a choreographer like Remo and an actress like Madhuri.

Remo made it simple; nobody expected it to be like this. It became a talking point of the promo, which I think they wanted.

Did you ever want to act before you started directing?

Yes. I did stage dramas in school and college. But that was amateur drama and I never thought about it later. That has helped me as a director. Full-fledged, professionally, my acting debut was in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

The song Ghagra from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is doing well . Whose idea was it to pair Madhuri and Ranbir in the song?

The entire film is Ayan’s (Mukherjee) baby. I can take the credit for only one thing and that is I suggested that the Ranbir and Madhuri jodi will be different.

We thought taking a contemporary actress would be common. This pairing I think nobody would have ever thought of. The novelty of the jodi has made the song a big hit.

Some day, would you like to direct or produce a biopic of any actor?

Making a biopic is something that I am really excited about, but it should be on someone who excites me.

I would love to make a film on Guru Dutt. I am a huge fan of his.

I would give years of my life to make a film on him. He is my favourite director. No director can show love and romance the way he did. Guru Dutt's songs were so spellbinding that even today when I listen to them, kuch kuch hota hai.

How was your Cannes film festival experience?

It was amazing, the kind of respect that the Cannes Film Festival gave India to celebrate the 100 years of cinema.

There were five important films in the official films selection from India. One or two of them were hugely acclaimed like Lunch Box.

It was a breakout hit at Cannes. All the films were received very well and everyone spoke about the diverse content that India has come up with.

As the festival director himself said when he introduced Bombay Talkies, “Please don’t think the selection of movies, including Bombay Talkies, is on the basis of the fact that they are Indian films and its 100 years of Indian cinema.

We selected them because we thought they are worthy of being shown at an illustrious, prestigious platform such as the Cannes film festival.” A lot has been said about the glamour and fashion of the red carpet. But none of that really matters.

What matters is that we are furthering our cinema, putting it on the map and finally resonating with the world when it comes to cinema.

I wish people would stop writing about the fashion statements made by movie stars and focus on the tremendous impact that India made at the Cannes festival this year.

There is a buzz that you are doing a film with Remo D’Souza.

Yes, we are yet to decide the details. I am very excited to produce a film with Remo. He is a talented choreographer-cum-director. He is a good human being and has a passion for cinema.