Karan Johar reveals late father, Yash, pitched 'Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham at Cannes for 10 days, found only one buyer. Here's how much it sold for

Economic Times

17-05-2025

Karan Johar reflects on his 2002 Cannes Film Festival experience with his father, Yash Johar, where they aimed to premiere 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.' Despite missing the red carpet, a small film market sale led to the film's unexpected cult following in Europe. Karan also addresses criticism about casting star kids, emphasizing his focus on talent regardless of background.
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Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar recently opened up about an emotional chapter from his past—the time he first stepped onto the global stage at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002. Speaking in a candid conversation with Galatta Plus, Karan reminisced about a moment that could have been a major milestone for his film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G), and how that experience, regardless of missed opportunities, remains a deeply treasured memory he shared with his late father, the veteran producer Yash Johar According to Karan, the prestigious Cannes team had initially expressed interest in giving K3G a high-profile red carpet premiere. "They approached me around late 2001," Karan recalled. "The film was set for a December release, and to be on the Cannes red carpet, I would've had to delay it by over half a year. I just couldn't afford that postponement." Eventually, the Cannes slot was filled by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas , marking Aishwarya Rai's grand Cannes debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan.Despite the lost opportunity to premiere the film, Karan and his father still made the journey to the festival. They set up a small booth in the bustling Cannes Film Market. 'My father manned the stall by himself while I went off to watch screenings. He told me, 'Beta, go watch cinema. I'll take care of this,'' Karan shared. Immersed in the cinematic magic of the festival, he even attended the Devdas premiere, soaking in the allure and charm of global cinema.The most touching moment of their Cannes journey came when Yash Johar managed to sell K3G to a distributor named Stephen for a modest $5,000 deal across Europe. Karan questioned the small figure, but his father smiled and said, 'Who knows what it might lead to…' That would turn out to be prophetic. Years after his father's passing in 2004, K3G—renamed La Famille indienne in France—became a cult favorite in Europe. Shah Rukh Khan became a household name in countries like Germany. 'That tiny sale in Cannes started something huge,' Karan said with pride and emotion.In the same interview, Karan addressed the recurring criticism he faces for casting children of film stars and producers. Referring to Nadaaniyan, a recent Dharma production starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, he said, 'People love to hate. Targeting star kids has become trendy. But if I see promise in someone, I will launch them—regardless of their surname.'He added that so-called 'film intellectuals' often refuse to acknowledge Dharma Productions ' efforts. 'They'll praise anyone but us. But if hating Dharma gets you more engagement, then congratulations.'Dharma Productions has already released Nadaaniyan and Kesari Chapter 2 this year. Their upcoming release is Dhadak 2, featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri. Karan's last directorial film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, was a blockbuster hit, raking in ₹355 crore globally and reaffirming his place as a storyteller who balances tradition with modernity.