Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions steps away from the conventional

"Initially, Dharma was associated with good-looking cinema. That was our USP. But now, with the kind of films we have been doing — from action to rom-coms to even socially relevant films — versatility is what defines us best today," articulated Karan, one of India’s most versatile filmmakers who has been experimenting with the films he has been dishing out recently.

Karan Johar has ruled the year 2012 with his hit releases Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and Student of the Year. While the first two films were produced by Karan’s production house, the film Student of the Year was also directed by him and produced jointly by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.
Speaking about the films released by his banner this year, Karan said, "While it was special for me to begin the year with a remake of my father's film, Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu broke the myth about rom-coms having a happy ending. It was bitter-sweet and unusual. With Student of the Year, we launched three fresh faces for the first time. The idea is to launch many more films and expand our base." His newest film is a trend-breaker of sorts for the director and is his fifth directorial venture. Student of the Year is the first film without Karan’s lucky mascot and good friend, Shah Rukh Khan, in the lead. This is also the first time Karan has relied completely on a cast of newcomers playing the lead.

In the near future, Karan will release a bunch of films including the Siddharth Malhotra-starrer Hasee Toh Phasee and the coming-of-age film Gippi.

“I am extremely proud of Varun," says David Dhawan, speaking about the SOTY star

Varun Dhawan managed to step into the spotlight with his spectacular performance in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year. Starring in the lead alongside two more newcomers, Siddharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, young Varun managed to make a perfect debut with the campus romance. The actor played the role of a rich and spoilt boy with a soft side and pulled off his role extremely well, winning him the attention of fans, young and old.

David Dhawan

Obviously, Varun’s father, the veteran filmmaker David Dhawan, is extremely proud about his son’s achievements and his fantastic debut. "It's payback time I would say with Varun's entry into showbiz. After working so hard in the industry, I am glad the industry has accepted my son. It's the initial stage and the way they have welcomed him nothing like it. I am extremely proud of Varun," Dhawan said.
The younger Dhawan is now readying himself to star in yet another film, this time directed by his father David and produced by Balaji Telefilms’ honcho, Ekta Kapoor. The film, titled Mein Tera Hero, is expected to be a romantic comedy and will give the audiences a treat.

David Dhawan on the other hand is busy preparing for the launch of his film Chashme Baddoor, a remake of the 1981 cult-classic. The upcoming film stars Ali Zafar, Siddharth and Taapsee Pannu and has won a lot of attention off-late for its slapstick humor and catchy music. "Whatever I could, I have done and made some changes and kept the soul of the film. I haven't removed the soul of the film and kept it entertaining," said David, speaking about the upcoming film.

Karan Johar’s Gippi poster unveiled!

The Dharma Productions chief, Karan Johar, has a way of surprising the audiences with his films. Lately, he unveiled his upcoming production, Gippi, with the release of the film’s first poster. To be produced by Dharma Productions and directed by Sonam Nair, the upcoming film is a coming-of-age film that revolves around the life of an overweight 13-year-old girl who simply doesn’t see the point of dieting or losing her baby fat!

Karan Johar’s Gippi poster unveiled!

The film stars Delhi-based 13-year-old Riya Vij playing the role of Gippi. The film has been shot extensively in Shimla as well as Mumbai, as per reports and rumors, and is a one-of-a-kind movie that will move viewers to tears, with its humor and simple yet touching tale. 

To promote the film, Karan Johar has been roping in a bunch of actors who best relate to Gippi. Actress Parineeti Chopra as well as her Ishaqzaade co-star Arjun Kapoor has promoted the film by featuring in teaser promos for the film. “Since Gippi doesn’t feature any big stars or known faces, the makers thought of roping in two or three stars to spread the word about the film. Since Arjun is popular among young audiences, he was one of the first choices for the task,” says an insider. Gippi is scheduled for a 10^th May, 2013, release. 

Apart from this film, Karan Johar has also unveiled yet another project, titled Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. This film is directed by Ayan Mukerji and is scheduled to release on the 31^st of May, 2013.

“Clean love stories don’t exist anymore,” says Karan Johar!

When it comes to creating films centered on tales of love, not many filmmakers know the best way to win hearts. The head of Dharma Productions, Karan Johar, sure knows how to craft heart touching stories however and has come up with films that have moved audiences to tears and made us fall in love all over again! According to him, the film industry has undergone a tremendous change lately and the way contemporary cinema portrays love and romance these days is a step away from the past.  

Clean love stories don’t exist anymore

“It’s sad but the purity of romance has taken a beating. It’s the difference between water and cola. The ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s projected clean, tranquil and seamless love. Just the way a glass of water appears. Today’s love is like a fizzy cola. It’s got fizz, which eventually goes flat. Water is like the ocean, it’s endless. Unfortunately, today organic love is known as old world love. Clean love stories don’t exist anymore,” said Karan.

He also went on to add, “Unfortunately, there’s no love story that one can tell today without watering it down. Last year only one love story was made - Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Before that the only real love story was Jab We Met. Imagine the most important films of our decade aren’t love stories! And that was all our industry was producing at one point.”

Karan’s last film, Student of the Year, released on the 19th of October, 2012 and was proclaimed a hit. The film starred newcomers Siddharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt playing students at a school while veteran actor Rishi Kapoor plays the role of a gay dean.