Karan Johar: Age, Height, Career, Wife, Family, Children, Biography & More

Karan Johar Quick Info

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Biography – Wiki

Unveiling the lesser-known facets of Karan Johar’s life

Karan Johar’s Early Life

• Karan Johar was born on 25 May 1972 in Mumbai, India, to Yash Johar, a renowned film producer and founder of Dharma Productions, and Hiroo Johar.
• He has a mixed heritage, with Punjabi Hindu ancestry from his father’s side and Sindhi Hindu ancestry from his mother’s side.
• Johar attended Green Lawns High School and later pursued his education at H.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.

Early Career of Karan Johar

• Initially, Johar aspired to join The Doon School in Dehradun but was declined admission after scoring zero in mathematics on the entrance test.
• He began his entertainment career as an actor, playing Shrikant in the 1989 Doordarshan serial “Indradhanush.”
• Influenced by commercial Indian cinema, Johar’s inspirations include Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, and Sooraj Barjatya.
• In his early filmmaking days, he followed numerology, naming films with titles where multiple words started with the letter K. This practice ceased after he watched “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” in 2006.

Karan Johar’s Personal Life

• Karan Johar has been private about his sexual orientation, stating, “Everybody knows what my sexual orientation is. I don’t need to scream it out.”
• In February 2017, he became the father of twins, a boy named Yash (after his father) and a girl named Roohi (rearranged from his mother Hiroo’s name), born through surrogacy at Masrani Hospital in Mumbai.

Criticism and Nepotism Allegations

The untimely death of Sushant Singh Rajput ignited a discourse on nepotism within the Hindi film industry, with Karan Johar finding himself at the center of the controversy. Rajput’s fans accused Johar of promoting nepotism by consistently casting star kids in his movies instead of giving opportunities to talented outsiders. The criticism intensified after Kangana Ranaut raised the issue on “Koffee With Karan.”

Despite the allegations, Johar received support from various industry figures who defended him against the nepotism claims. Subsequently, a complaint was filed against Johar, accusing him of “abetting” Rajput’s suicide.

In response to the allegations, Johar defended his production house’s track record, highlighting that they had introduced 21 debut directors, with a significant number hailing from outside the film fraternity. He argued that many of the actors associated with his projects, despite having industry connections, are talented individuals deserving of their opportunities. Johar acknowledged the easier access some insiders might have but emphasized that their journey in the industry was not without its challenges.

Unknown Facts about Karan Johar

1. Childhood Fascinations:
   • Karan Johar, as a child, was an avid Bollywood enthusiast and loved dancing to old Hindi songs.
2. Early Career Aspirations:
   • At age 4, he aspired to become a hairstylist, followed by dreams of becoming a doctor at 10 and a copywriter at 15.
   • Finally, at 20, he solidified his ambition to become a filmmaker.
3. Early TV Appearance:
   • In 1989, he made his first TV appearance in Doordarshan’s serial “Indradhanush” as Shrikant.
4. Superstitions and Film Titles:
   • Initially superstitious about the letter ‘K,’ he named movies like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” for success.
   • However, he abandoned this belief after watching “Lage Raho Munna Bhai.”
5. Close Bond with Mother:
   • Karan Johar is affectionately known as a ‘Mama’s Boy’ due to his close attachment to his mother.
6. Costume Designing for Shah Rukh Khan:
   • He served as a costume designer for Shah Rukh Khan in several films, including “DDLJ,” “Dil Toh Pagal Hai,” and “Om Shanti Om.”
7. French Speaker:
   • Fluent in French, Johar holds a master’s degree in the language.
8. Cricket Enthusiast:
   • Despite his involvement in the film industry, he is a cricket enthusiast and enjoys playing the sport.
9. Miss World Jury Member:
   • In 2006, Johar became the first Indian filmmaker to be a jury member at the Miss World contest in Warsaw, Poland.
10. Oscar Aspiration:
    • His ultimate goal is to win an Oscar and walk the red carpet with the trophy, dedicating it to India.
11. Script Aversion:
    • Despite his directorial success, Johar dislikes reading scripts and prefers personal calls for communication.
12. Velvet Jacket Aficionado:
    • He has a penchant for velvet jackets and is often seen sporting them.
13. Efficient Scriptwriting:
    • The script for “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” was written by Johar in just 30 days.
14. Appreciation for Hrithik Roshan:
    • While Shah Rukh Khan is his best friend, Johar admires Hrithik Roshan’s work, praising his dedication in giving 300%.
15. Battle with Depression:
    • In an interview, he revealed facing depression and anxiety attacks at one point in his life.
16. Sensitive and Emotional:
    • Described by his mother as a sensitive and emotional person, traits he has carried since childhood.
17. Email Aversion:
    • Karan finds replying to emails torturous and delegates the task to his secretary.
18. Casting Challenges for ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…’:
    • Karan faced skepticism, even being called ‘mad’ by his father, when casting legendary actors in “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…”
    • The casting process involved individual meetings with each actor, with Kareena Kapoor considering her role iconic after reading the script.

Karan Johar’s Controversies

1. Kangana Ranaut’s Nepotism Remark: During an episode of “Koffee with Karan,” Kangana Ranaut accused Karan Johar of being the “flagbearer of nepotism,” sparking a heated debate and intense scrutiny. Johar faced backlash for promoting star kids and providing opportunities to industry insiders.
2. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Pakistani Artists: Controversy surrounded the release of “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Karan Johar’s casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan led to calls for a ban on Pakistani artists in Indian cinema. The incident ignited debates on artistic freedom and cross-border relations.
3. Drug Allegations and Party Video: In 2019, a video surfaced showing Karan Johar at a private party where guests allegedly consumed drugs. Denying any involvement, Johar faced accusations and speculation about drug use in the film industry.
4. Padmaavat Controversy and Apology: Initially supporting the release of “Padmaavat,” Karan Johar later withdrew his support amidst protests. His change of stance and subsequent apology stirred controversy, adding another layer to the ongoing Padmaavat controversy.
5. IIFA Award Controversy (2017): Hosting the IIFA Awards, Karan Johar faced criticism when actors Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan made remarks on nepotism, alluding to Kangana Ranaut. The incident triggered audience and media backlash, contributing to the controversy surrounding Johar.

Karan Johar – A Journey of Success

Karan Johar’s biography unveils the multifaceted journey of a man who has left an indelible mark on the Indian entertainment industry. From his early struggles to becoming a prolific filmmaker, producer, and talk show host, Johar’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and passion. His ability to navigate controversies, adapt to changing trends, and contribute significantly to the film fraternity showcases not only his artistic prowess but also his business acumen. As a successful director, producer, and influential personality, Karan Johar has not just shaped the narratives of Bollywood but has also become an iconic figure synonymous with the glitz and glamor of the Indian film industry.

Karan Johar – Presence and Activity on Social Media.

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Frequently Asked Questions

References/Sources

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. iasat.com
3. mirchi.in
4. rbollywood.com
5. siasat.com