Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani: Karan Johar promises a happy family drama and says, ‘There is unabashed naach-gaana in the film’

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in the major roles, marks Karan Johar's return as a director. Veteran actors Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan performing major roles in the movie represent another casting coup for the director. The flick is slated to release on February 10, 2023. After producing Juggjugg Jeeyo, Dharma productions will mark another family drama with Rocky Rani ki Prem Kahani.

In a recent chat, Karan spoke about his directorial return and the film. He said, "There is unabashed naach-gaana. Dharamji is a ball of love, and at 86, he is so passionate. Shabana Ji is an acting institution. With Jayaji, whom I call aunty J, I feel like I have a mom on the set." Karan Johar admits that the film will face its share of criticism. "I read the criticism before the praise. The praise does nothing for you, but what’s bad or what’s mediocre needs to be told. I even read what the trolls (write). I feel the more grounded I am, the more I will be able to fly."

Karan Johar added that his family drama starring Alia and Ranveer is intended to appeal to an audience whose tastes appear to have altered significantly over the past two years as a result of the pandemic. Bringing up the fact that the "tadka of Hindi cinema" is what the Hindi public currently wants.

The 50-year-old director said, "As filmmakers, we all have to go back to the basics if we want commercial (success). If you want to make an artistic film, go ahead, but know that your audience will get limited. Now, the cinema-going audiences want the tadka of Hindi cinema that got diluted over the decades. The (success of) KGF: Chapter 2, RRR, and Pushpa: The Rise (proves the theory). We need to go back to (the elements) we grew up on — drama, songs, dance, and emotions. The phase of small-town, high-concept movies is great, but this is the reality of our times."