Karan Johar gets candid about past heartbreak, discusses how Ae Dil Hai Mushkil helped him heal; says, “Fortunately, this person is not from the industry”

Karan Johar reflects on past love and heartbreak, credits Ae Dil Hai Mushkil for closure.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

September 20, 2023 - 3:13 PM IST

Karan Johar, the renowned filmmaker and producer known for his candidness in interviews, recently shed light on his past relationship and shared that his ex-lover continues to be an integral part of his life. In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, Karan opened up about his journey of heartbreak and healing through his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Karan Johar gets candid about past heartbreak, discusses how Ae Dil Hai Mushkil helped him heal; says, “Fortunately, this person is not from the industry”

Karan Johar expressed that initially, it was a bit awkward for him because the film featured a character that meets a tragic end, symbolizing the emotional turmoil he had experienced during his real-life heartbreak. He shared, “It was initially awkward because his character dies. The character obviously went through a fictional arc as well, but it was cathartic for me to tell that story because I felt that really helped me get over that love situation.”

The filmmaker continued to reflect on the profound impact of unrequited love, saying, “Anyone who has been through one-sided love, ektarfa pyaar, that heartbreak… I saw the worst version of myself, not as a human being, but I was pitiful in that zone. When you stare at your phone waiting for it to ring, when you want that message and that message changes your day, when your heart really hurts – it’s physical pain, it’s not just symbolic, it’s painful – and you wake up with that anxiety, and when you see that person with somebody else and it breaks you into a million pieces… You realize that love can make you and break you and tear you apart.”

Karan Johar acknowledged that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil received mixed reactions from audiences, but he emphasized that the film's concluding moments strongly resonate with today's younger generation. He mentioned, “I feel it strongly with the generation of today, who really take their love seriously. We call it the Tinder generation, the swipe right-swipe left generation, but people are really falling in love. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had a polarising last act, but that concept of crazy love really resonated especially with Gen Z kids. I’m far from Gen Z, I found this crazy love in my late 30s and early 40s, and it just went on for years. But it gave me a film, it gave me closure, and it has now given me a lot of perspective of never to go back in that zone again.”

When questioned about how the individual responded to his emotions, including whether they exhibited mixed signals, Karan Johar elaborated, saying, “The person was completely sensitive to me, and went through every beat with me with utmost sensitivity. So, I can’t even hate, I can’t be indifferent. And today, that person is very much a part of my family, he’s a part of my ecosystem… Fortunately, this person is not from the industry, and that actually helped, because it gets very messy when it’s from the industry.”

Speaking of his work commitments, Karan Johar recently returned to direction after seven years with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The film is declared as a box office success with it also garnering immense love for its portrayal of some unconventional subjects. Furthermore, it also features veteran stars like Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Shabana Azmi in lead roles, along with other actors like Kshitee Jog, Anjal Anand, Aamir Bashir, Churni Ganguly, Tota Roy Chowdhury, among others in pivotal roles. The film released on July 28.

Also Read: Karan Johar reveals the reason for quitting twitter; says, “I’m not going back on this platform for anything”