Shabana Azmi had a pivotal role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Karan Johar opened up on wanting his heroines to always wear makeup, regardless of the scene.
During the final day of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2023, Karan Johar engaged in a conversation with South African actor Charlize Theron. They explored various topics, including filmmakers’ fixation on presenting actors impeccably groomed, even in situations where it’s unnecessary.
Charlize Theron wondered why makeup artists applied lipstick after she fell off a truck. Karan Johar recalled a similar conversation with Shabana Azmi, whom he compared to Meryl Streep, during their film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. “I never want you to see any of my movies. Because even when they are dying, they have everything ready,” he said. “Their hair is blow dried, they have lipstick on, there is no compromise.”
Talking about Shabana Azmi, Karan Johar said, “I worked with a very prolific actor, Shabana Azmi, she is a veteran actor, won a National Award. I could equate her to Meryl Streep. That good. And she was in my recent film and we were filming a scene in the kitchen. She had blow-dried hair, a beautifully draped saree, hair and makeup done. She says, who cooks looking like this? I said in my film, that’s how it’s gonna be.”
“And then there was a funeral sequence. She says ‘Please can you allow me to remove my makeup here? Someone just died.’ I was like, ‘Well not too much of it. Because the lenses are sharp and I don’t want you to look a certain way. She said there is no reality. I said I am not going for it.”
Charlize Theron laughed and praised Karan for his clear vision. Karan admitted he gets nervous when critics like his films, mentioning “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” as an example.
The film, starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, released in cinemas on July 28. The Karan Johar directorial marked the reunion of Bollywood’s hit on-screen pair of Alia and Ranveer after their blockbuster movie Gully Boy.
