Nikkhil Advani reveals how Shah Rukh Khan stepped in to produce Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham when a big studio refused

Nikkhil Advani took everyone down the memory lane by talking about the time of Kabhi Khushie Kabhi Gham. He revealed that a big studio was going to take up the project but did not. Owing to that, the actor Shah Rukh Khan stepped up and bankrolled the project. What’s more? He took a big risk with the film.

What Nikkhil said

Nikkhil revealed to Film Companion how a big studio was going to sign the contract for the movie but the deal fell through. He tried to bring them back on board by pleading that the budget of the film was high and thus, they needed the funds. When the person involved said no, SRK stepped in. “The other person said no, I can give only this much. You know what he (SRK) does? He said I’ll distribute the film myself,” Nikkhil revealed.

SRK’s deal on the film

“Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was distributed at 17.5% refundable commission,” the filmmaker said. He recalled how SRK approached him when they were mixing the film. “Puraane zamaane mein jab hum logon ko picture bechna tha, hum unko bahut acche scenes dikhaate aur gaana dikhaate the,” Nikkhil said, adding that is exactly what SRK wanted in the promo. So he approached Nikkhil, who said that Shaava Shaava, You Are My Soniya and the interval scene can be added to the promo. “He asked when can you show it? I said I need about 10 days. He flew down every distributor from the whole world. The next day he flew them down,” Nikkhil revealed.

Distributed by YRF

Yash Raj Films had distributed Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The iconic film, one of those that Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions boasts of (apart from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho), released in theatres on December 14, 2001. The film brought together three generation of superstars, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Apart from becoming the second highest grossing film of the year, Kajol won the best actor award, Jaya Bachchan the best supporting actor award and Karan Johar won the best dialogue writer award.