Truce
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2014)

After the release of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Kal Ho Na Ho, director Nikhil Advani and producer Karan Johar went their separate ways following serious creative differences during the making of the film. A decade later, the mentor and his protege, who haven't collaborated on a second film, seemed to have mended bridges.

Mirror has learnt that KJo recently dropped by Nikhil's office and saw the rushes of his Hero remake, which marks the acting debut of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. "Karan was really impressed and encouraged by his response, Nikhil confided that he wanted a song whose rights were with Karan who planned to use it in one of the upcoming film of his banner," says a source.

But Nikhil had his heart set on the Punjabi ballad penned by Kumaar and composed by Jassi Katial. And after pondering over it for a few minutes, Karan gave the song away to him.

Confirming the same Karan told Mirror, "I had kept this particular song to use it in the future. But Nikhil needed an intense romantic song and I was happy to share it. Both he and his producer partners Madhu and Monisha are extremely dear friends and I was happy to participate in their labour of love."

Nikhil is overwhelmed by KJo's gesture. "He understood that the scene I had in mind needed the song and he was generous enough to let me have it," he says.

When asked if this has changed the equation between the once warring filmmakers, he laughed, "We fought like kids! It was stupid. But things are fine between us now. Karan was the first person to see the rushes of Hero."