Filmmaker Karan Johar opened up about the inspiration behind his latest directorial venture, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.” The film, which made a strong box office debut, delves into the complexities of love between individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Johar, known for his astute portrayal of relationships on the silver screen, revealed TO Mid Day that he was subconsciously inspired by the real-life dynamic between Bollywood power couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna. He praised their remarkable friendship within their marriage, citing the deep connection he witnessed while spending time with them.
“They have a tremendous friendship in their marriage. I’ve had dinners with them, meals with them, hung out with them. And there’s a terrific kind of comfort in their camaraderie. He finds her hilarious, she finds him hilarious, for different reasons. So I felt it wasn’t impossible for people who come from two different demographics of society, two stratas, to actually find love. It’s like we put ourselves in boxes. Like when we’re finding a relationship, we put ourselves in places where we’re comfortable. But tomorrow, you can fall in love with someone anywhere,” Karan shared in the interview.
Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna’s love story began on the sets of Umesh Mehra’s 1999 action film “International Khiladi.” They tied the knot in 2001 and have since become one of Bollywood’s most enduring couples, blessed with a son, Aarav, and a daughter, Nitara.
Notably, Akshay Kumar has been a part of several Dharma Productions projects, showcasing the strong professional and personal bond between him and Karan Johar. These include Karan Malhotra’s 2015 sports drama “Brothers,” Anurag Singh’s 2019 historical epic “Kesari,” Raj Mehta’s 2019 romantic comedy “Good Newwz,” Rohit Shetty’s 2021 cop drama “Sooryavanshi,” and most recently, Raj Mehta’s dramedy “Selfiee,” earlier this year.