Kal Ho Naa Ho director Nikkhil Advani opens up about his ‘emotional clash’ with Karan Johar; recalls not talking to Govinda and Anil Kapoor for 10 years

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As a dedicated follower of the intricate web that is Bollywood, I find Nikkhil Advani’s journey to be a compelling study in resilience and the ebb and flow of relationships within the industry. The story of his fallout with Karan Johar following the success of Kal Ho Naa Ho serves as a reminder of the high-stakes game that is showbiz, where even the most successful collaborations can lead to bitter disagreements.

Yet, it’s heartening to see that despite their differences, Advani and Johar have managed to put their past behind them and move forward in their respective careers. The filmmaker’s emotional clash with Johar seems to have fueled his desire to prove himself, leading him to churn out more love stories – a testament to the old adage that every storm runs its course.

One can’t help but be intrigued by Advani’s unique approach to mending fences. His bond with John Abraham, for instance, was rekindled over shared interests like football, politics, food, animals, and fitness – a refreshing change from the usual industry gossip. It seems that in this world of glitz and glamour, there is room for camaraderie beyond the silver screen.

In a lighter vein, it’s amusing to think about what might have transpired during those three years when Advani and Abraham weren’t on speaking terms. Were they secretly texting each other about the latest football matches or debating over the merits of different cuisines? Only time will tell if their friendship will lead to another collaboration, but until then, I’ll be here, eagerly waiting for the next twist in this Bollywood tale.

Noted movie director Nikkhil Advani is widely recognized for helming the 2003-released film Kal Ho Naa Ho, a production by Karan Johar. In a recent chat, the filmmaker reminisced about his disagreements with Johar post the film’s triumph and also disclosed his conflicts involving actors like Anil Kapoor, Govinda, and John Abraham.

In a recent chat with Digital Commentary, Nikkhil Advani recalled a disagreement with Karan Johar following the release of Kal Ho Naa Ho. He recollected feeling upset and departing from the production company after a period marked by “disarray and frustration.” He also mentioned that there were whispers suggesting he had directed their three most successful films under Dharma Productions, while another group was countering that he hadn’t even directed Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Reflecting on their past conflict, he mentioned that despite it all, they remain close friends. Remarkably, they’ve managed to move past the dispute. He emphasized that they’ve matured over time, enabling them to distinguish between movies and reality.

He and his father were extremely bonded, but not in a creative sense; rather, their relationship was marked by emotional disagreements. One point of contention was that the man felt unappreciated for one love story he had written, so he decided to write six more love stories instead, stating, ‘Why should others speak ill of me when I can tell my own love stories?’

Under the stress of his film Salaam-E-Ishq’s box office flop and the fear of being jobless, he eventually agreed to take on the project for Chandni Chowk To China.

In addition, the director delved into the topic of Hollywood connections and praised the strong ties between Ajay Devgn-Rohit Shetty, Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, and Shah Rukh Khan. He referred to these individuals as an unbreakable trio.

In reference to his collaboration with John Abraham in films such as Vedaa and Batla House, Advani stated that for about three years, people had stopped responding to his phone calls due to the poor performance of his movies.

Over the course of several years, I found myself growing distant from John… For a decade, I had no contact with Anil Kapoor or Govinda… When John and I reunite, we don’t discuss movies or the entertainment business. Instead, we share our passions for football, politics, cuisine, animals, and fitness. He made this observation.

Nikkhil Advani’s last directorial Vedaa led by John Abraham was released in 2024. 

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2025-01-02 18:07