Karan Johar returned to direction in 2023 with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. He completed 25 years as a filmmaker. Headlined by Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, the family entertainer was one of the highest-grossing films. As 2023 is about to wrap, Karan penned a special note for his 'Rocky' Ranveer and 'Rani' Alia.
Sharing a recent picture with Alia and Ranveer, Karan wrote, "Before the years wraps I felt like sharing this with all of you…I hadn’t directed Alia since 2012 and the day she walked onto set In her @manishmalhotra05 plus @mickeycontractor plus #flavian look I knew we had the Rani I had always envisaged …. What followed was an actor I wasn’t prepared for…. And I can take zero credit … will always be grateful to Imtiaz ali for taking her on a highway of life and moulding her into the actor she finally became …. SOTY is technically her launch but her true launch as an artist will always be highway…Alia is such a pride and pleasure on a film set…. She had a ticking mind constantly questioning Rani and trying her best to make her strong and yet identifiable and likeable … again for that I take no credit that is her evolution as an artist! Was blessed to have her as Rani Chatterjee and I do hope her character keeps resonating …. Love you @aliaabhatt."
He further added, "Ranveer Singh! The irreplaceable force of nature…. The actor prepares and never comes in your way … he never ever let me know the extent he was prepping to play Rocky Randhawa… he planned his prep with my team , spent months in Delhi, hung out in west Delhi, met the West Delhi gram boys , worked on his dialect like an obsessed artist ! Kept improvising dialogues till it reached perfection for him … I saw this as a bystander, a filmaker in awe and was blown away by his process ( which initially can be daunting but when you see the dailies you’re sold and he’s won your heart) I feel like the perception of RS is so different from his labour and passion as a true artist! You see designer clothes om magazine covers I see a hungry actor only seeking love and validation from his audiences! ROCKY RANDHWA and RANVEER were irreplaceable! ( styled impeccably by @ekalakhani) No one could have done what he did! Absolutely No one and I feel grateful for him and Alia!"
Concluding his note, the filmmaker shared, "The three of us also built a friendship for the ages as a trio! This is not just an appreciation post as a filmmaker but a post of gratitude to the universe that bought these blessed artists to play my leads! Karan Johar this side … signing off!"
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani released on July 28, 2023.
(Source: Instagram)
