Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar is not someone who minces his words. From hosting his long-running, highly-rated talk show Koffee With Karan to judging on reality shows Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (India’s version of Strictly Come Dancing) and India’s Got Talent, he’s known for speaking his mind. And this weekend, at the first-ever Arab Indo Bollywood Awards (Aiba) in Dubai, Johar will play host to the who’s who of Bollywood — stars including Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Varun Dawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Prabhu Deva, Pareeniti Chopra and Neha Dhupia will be attending.
The son of the late acclaimed producer Yash Johar, the 43 year old is today one of the most influential names in Bollywood. From his debut as director with the 1998 blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to his recent comeback to acting with Bombay Velvet, the multi-talented Johar spoke to tabloid! about hosting Aiba, his upcoming projects, and pushing the envelope with his last hosting gig at the controversial All India Bakchod Roast.
You will be hosting Aiba 2015 for the first time. What should we expect?
Yes, I am truly honoured and looking forward to this gala event. I instantly took an interest when I was approached as I loved the concept and format of the show by Benchmark Media through Cineyug: It definitely has a lot of potential and this is such a great platform to recognise exceptional talent. More importantly, this event will be organised by well-known experts who have put together similar, successful events in the past, so expect nothing less than pure entertainment!
You made a bold move by hosting the controversial All India Bakchod Roast that ran into troubled waters. Any regrets? How was that experience and will you be pushing the proverbial envelope with Aiba?
With regards to Aiba — no two events and shows are the same. The awards night will not only bring in entertainment and exceptional performances but also will celebrate the hard work, talent and vision of Indian cinema. That’s the key factor.
Taking an indiscriminate swipe at Bollywood stars is a popular method of breaking ice among audience for a host. Will you be doing the same and why?
Each of us has a style of his/her own; that’s what makes us unique [and] mak[es] our viewers come back for more. Making a guest comfortable or connecting with audience is important, but there is absolutely no intention or requirement to hurt another individual and we know where to draw the line, and we hope that the stars can differentiate between humour and maliciousness. It has never been and never will be about hurting someone. It’s about making people laugh and laughter is the best medicine, right?
Can you please walk us through the process of preparing to host an awards ceremony such as Aiba?
Every show has a different format and the preparation for each show will depend on the format. All I can say right now is wait and watch.
What’s your biggest strength and weaknesses when it comes to hosting a show? And, what’s your biggest fear and how do you tackle it?
My biggest strength I would say is my understanding of human nature. My ability to connect with people who are in the show with me is my strength. If I tell you my weakness, you would look for it next time so I’ll pass on that question!
In Bombay Velvet, you made your splash in acting. Will we see more of you on the big screen, and how was it working with Anurag Kashyap?
It was great working with Anurag. I said yes to the role because no one would have offered me a negative role in my lifetime. I am open to offers. I don’t have a delusion that I can do lead roles, but I am definitely open to good roles,
They say imagining the audience naked is the best way to tackle stage fear for a host. Do you subscribe to that or any such quirky theory?
Haha! To each his own I guess. Stage fright is thankfully not something I suffer from.
What has been your fondest memory of Dubai?
Dubai has always been a home away from home [for me]. I have friends and family living here. However, launching the music for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna [his 2006 film] in Dubai was a particularly memorable time for me.
You are one of the most prolific Bollywood producers with a knack for selling an idea well. How do you choose your film projects?
I am a people’s person and am curious about human nature and what is going on in their minds — this has crept in my movies too. If the script has emotions, song, dance and a strong story that people can connect to, that is a winning combination for me.
With Shuddhi, Brothers, Ram Lakhan on your production plate, how are you envisioning 2016?
It is going to be a busy time for me. I like being busy and am totally looking forward to it.
Your TV show Koffee With Karan and some catty remarks made on the show didn’t go down well with some Bollywood stars. Do you think actors should take themselves a little less seriously?
Koffee with Karan is a light entertainment show. The stars on my show are not only my guest[s], but my close friends too and I invest heavily on relationships. However, sometimes spontaneity can get the better of us. Actors are humans too and, occasionally, they too have the right to air their emotions.
When will we see you again on Koffee With Karan and how different are you hoping it would be?
I have my hands full with the upcoming projects. We will start working on the next season soon. Koffee with Karan is all about entertainment and we will stick to this winning formula. Yes, but I can say that its going to be as hot as a steaming cup of Koffee!
Don’t miss it
Tickets for Aiba, starting at Dh200, are on sale at platinumlist.net. The show will be aired on Zee Cinema on July 24 at 7:30pm in the UAE. For more, go to aibagulf.com.
