KJo has been making headlines this month. First with news of his wanting to adopt a baby girl then with Anurag Kashyap announcing his debut as a villain in Bombay Velvet scheduled for a Christmas release next year. For the moment, Karan Johar doesn't want to jinx the project by talking too much about the film. Deebashree Mohanty speaks with the maverick filmmaker
He is a smooth talker on the couch, a fantastic director who has the power to immediately transform you into a realm of happiness. He can shake a leg and act as well. That’s Karan multi-talented Johar for you. This summer, Karan Johar is all poised to start shooting for his maiden film as an actor in a negative role and he can't stop smiling. “Yes it is a good feeling,” he tells you.
KJo will be playing an antagonist in Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. “It is an unusual role. Something no one has ever tried before. When Anurag narrated the script to me he wanted my opinion. I told him it was an awesome concept and the characters were well fleshed out. I had no idea he wanted me to come on board. But when he offered me a role the next day, I had no reason to decline. He is a great friend and a good director sitting on a brilliant script. What more could a debutante ask forIJ” Johar asks.
Kashyap and KJo had earlier worked together for Bombay Talkies, a film made to mark 100 years of cinema. “The response we got was great. We have started a trend of sorts for young directors. Personally, I liked Zoya’s and Anurag’s stories a lot,” he adds.
Known to be a superstitious person, Kjo doesn’t want to reveal anything much about Bombay Velvet just as yet. “I play a businessman with shades of grey. That’s all there is to my role at the moment. We will get to know more as we go about the film. I don’t like talking about my films before they hit the floors so let there be a suspense,” Johar says.
Bombay Velvet is the first part of a trilogy planned by Kashyap and KJo will feature in all parts. “It is a three-part series pre-decided by Anurag. This is why the film is so special. I am going to have something to do in all the three parts. He hasn't decided anything concrete for part 2 and 3,” Johar, who is busy with his own production featuring Ranbir Kapoor, says.
The 41-year-old filmmaker has his plate full with films and TV assignments to wrap up. As a judge in Jhalak... on Colors, “I have drawn up a list of all things my mother would want me to do and I like ticking things off as done. She wanted me to learn dancing and eventually become a choreographer. So I chose to judge this dance show. Next up, she wanted to see me act in a film. With Bombay Velvet I have done that as well. let’s see whether she will like me in that grey shade,” Johar adds.
As for his plans of adoption, Kjo wants to extend his family. "What's wrong with thatIJ My mother would enjoy bringing up a grandchild. I love to play the role of a father," he says, leaving you with that thought.