Karan Johar on Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani: Felt I needed to make a movie that made me feel 25 again

The coronavirus outbreak, according to filmmaker Karan Johar, prompted him to make Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, a "quintessential Bollywood" film. The love narrative, written by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, and Sumit Roy, marks the filmmaker's return to filmmaking following the 2016 romantic movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt are featured in the film, which also stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi.

When asked what kind of subject he would choose if he were to make his directorial debut in 2022, Johar stated it would be comparable to his first film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, a 1998 romantic comedy-drama starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji.

In his filmography, the filmmaker claimed he experimented with drama in My Name Is Khan and intricate relationships in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, but ultimately opted to return to a love narrative in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

The 49-year-old filmmaker stated at the ABP Networks Ideas of India Summit that as a filmmaker, he went through stages of development. But, in the midst of the pandemic, he felt compelled to make a film that made him feel like he was 25 all over again. 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was the only movie Karan could think of or make when he was 25 since it was like a compilation of all the movies he had grown up watching. It's a tribute to Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, and Sooraj Barjatya, among others.

Johar claims that he is tapping into the iconic Bollywood movie genre with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. He went on to say that, as filmmakers, they are all attempting to break the mould, shred the envelope, and push the boundaries of cinema. But they have also forgotten that there was once a time when they were known for their innocence and purity; the typical Bollywood, with its heart on its sleeve, songs, dance for no apparent purpose, theatrics, and unreal drama. Karan thought, "Let's do it again."

Though the worlds of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani aren't identical, the director claims he isn't creating something new.

It's a love story with a family to boot. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and senior members of the fraternity, Jaya ji, Shabana ji, and Dharmendra ji; Karan is returning to the same world.

In August of last year, the crew began filming for the film. The film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is set to hit theatres on February 10, 2023.