Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 5, 2014)

Karan Johar’s next film Hasee Toh Phasee is lining up for release this Friday and he’s upbeat about the Sidharth Malhotra-Parineeti Chopra starrer, which according to him is not a quintessential rom-com. But the film that has been the talking point for the last few weeks is undoubtedly Shhuddhi. When will the film roll?

“Shhuddhi may take six months, even a year, to go on the floors. We are still working on the schedule. Hrithik Roshan’s health issues, which lead to Bang Bang being pushed forward, has had its share of repercussions. Shuddhi stands indefinitely delayed and right now I don’t know where it is going,” Karan admits.

Buzz is, Deepika Padukone has replaced Kareena Kapoor. Karan insists that at the moment it is still Kareena, but the delay could lead to a change in the cast. “I can’t expect an actress to wait indefinitely. I feel terrible for Bebo, who is a special friend— the sibling I never had,” he sighs. Reportedly one of the reasons for him looking to replace Kareena is the failure of Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, which has also led to director Punit Malhotra’s exit from Dharma. “Who said Punit is out?” retorts Karan. “His next film is with Dharma and he has already started working on it. The film may have failed but Punit didn’t. He had worked harder on Gori Tere Pyaar Mein than he did on I Hate Luv Storys. If anyone has to take the blame, it’s me.” So where did he err? Was it a case of miscasting? “Like you can’t analyse success, you shouldn’t analyse failure either,” Karan philosophises. Rumour has it that Tarun Mansukhani who had to give up on Dostana 2 after five years is a disheartened man today. Karan says he’s taken it upon himself to “re-energise” his team. “We don’t operate as a studio, every film director in Dharma is part of the family,” he asserts.

But, is it true that after the blockbuster Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ayan Mukerji is getting priority over other Dharma directors? “No. I don’t divide and rule. I encourage group love! That’s the only way to grow. If you don’t delegate and trust, you will live in a bubble and I hate bubbles.”

With the next two weeks, Karan will shift to his new house in Bandra, opposite Excel head honcho’s Ritesh Siddhwani’s pad.

He is also working on 2 States with Sajid Nadiadwala and collaborating with UTV on the Hindi remake of Vettai. His only unfulfilled ambition is that even at the age of 40, he is yet to make a film with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. But that may happen too. For now it’s being said that he’s all set to return to direction with a film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. “We’re still working on the cast but I promise an exciting screenplay,” he says cagily. Has Ranbir made way for Aamir or Salman? That time will tell, not Karan!
 
On his rumoured fallout with SRK…
SRK is a part of Dharma. So what if he hasn’t come to my show this season? Koffee with Karan is just a show while SRK is a big part of my life and company. Ditto Aditya Chopra and my dad. They conceived, conceptualised and envisioned this company. Tomorrow if I am asked to wipe the floors of Red Chillies and Yash Raj, I will do so. And I know if I ever need SRK and Adi, they will be there for me.”