Introduction
The 21st-century Bollywood belongs to Karan Johar. From this directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, he enraptured the audience’s mind with his exploration of love, relationships, and family. Karan Johar is synonymous with the new-age blockbuster that has consistently represented the lives of Non-Resident Indians in this movie. His films have ushered in the blending of traditional family values with modern sensibilities, redefining mainstream Bollywood romance. Here are the top 10 Karan Johar movies in no particular order.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Released in 1998, KKHH is Karan Johar’s debut movie and one of the biggest cult classics that Bollywood has produced. Centering around three teenagers, Karan Johar managed to portray a coming-of-age film that has stood the test of time. Considered one of the best Karan Johar films, the film stars SRK, Rani Mukerji, and Kajol in lead roles. The film takes place in two timelines that explore the conflict of love and friendship, and eventual reconciliation.
Highlights
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is iconic for its portrayal of teenage love and friendship. The chemistry between SRK’s Rahul, Kajol’s Anjali, and Rani’s Tina works. The conflict between love and friendship is palpable, and the ensuing heartbreak is soul-touching. The movie is also supported by some of the best music in Bollywood, by Jatin-Lalit’s composition and lyrics by Sameer. The soulful music and the charm of the leading cast made this one of the top 10 Karan Johar movies.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Family values intermixed with complexities, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, or K3G, is an epic drama boasting a stellar cast from the family patriarch played by Amitabh Bachchan to the adopted son played by SRK. The film also stars Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kajol, Jaya Bachchan, and others. The film was a commercial success nationally and internationally, making over 130 crores adjusted for inflation.
Highlights
The movie revolves around the Raichand family, where the father and family head disowns his son for marrying a woman who doesn’t belong in their socio-economic background. The story’s emotional core lies in the relationship between the son and the father, portrayed poignantly by both Bachchan and Khan. The dialogues, music, and all accentuate the drama that enraptured the audience at the theatres. The movie was a hit among the NRIs, who felt access to Indian culture after many years. The commercial success and cultural impact made it one of the best Karan Johar romantic movies of all time.
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
With a screenplay by Shibani Bathija, this Karan Johar-directed film explores marital relationships and their complexities. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, and Kirron Kher, the movie is set in New York City. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was both a critical and commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2006.
Highlights
The movie is iconic for taking up one of the most controversial topics of all time–extramarital affairs. The movie was praised for its storyline, performance by the cast members, music, and emotional core. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna balances a nuanced relationship with a larger-than-life appeal. The movie provided the viewers with a new perspective on love and relationships, and thus takes the title of one of the best Karan Johar films of all time.
My Name Is Khan
Starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, My Name Is Khan is a poignant story about the treatment of minorities in 9/11 America. The story revolves around a Muslim man named Rizwan with Asperger’s Syndrome, travelling across America to find his lover and prove his innocence. My Name Is Khan is renowned for its portrayal of humanity and innocence, and delving into the message of universal love and acceptance. This movie is considered the best among Karan Johar’s movies with Shah Rukh Khan.
Highlights
This movie is considered the magnum opus of Karan Johar, with the apt portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome. The movie also deeply delves into the topic post 9/11 prejudice directed towards the Muslim community. Both Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are iconic in their roles, with Khan’s portrayal of Rizwan and his Asperger’s syndrome earning praise from the audience. The message of tolerance and acceptance is also what makes this one of the iconic Karan Johar romantic movies.
Student of the Year
Jointly produced by Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, this Karan Johar movie served as the launch pad for Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan. Student of the Year is a romantic comedy delving into romance, rivalry, and the signature exploration of love and friendship. The movie was critically and commercially successful, becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year.
Highlights
Student of the Year, though flawed, has been praised for its vibrancy and entertainment value. The chemistry between the lead cast’s work and the music lends to romance and entertainment. The movie was commercially successful, launching the career of the lead trio to more audience exposure. Thus, it became one of the more memorable ventures of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions movies.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Karan Johar returned to the screens with this romantic drama after many years of hiatus. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani portrays the drama between Rocky (Ranveer Singh) and Rani (Alia Bhatt). Both of them belong to two different backgrounds- one conservative and the other relatively liberal. Their love story forms the crux of the story that culminates in clashes and conflicts, and then reconciliation.
Highlights
The story is a fun portrayal of overcoming cultural barriers for love. Alia Bhatt’s Rani and Raveer Singh’s Rocky have excellent chemistry. The movie boasts of a brilliant supporting cast, especially Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, Churni Ganguly, and Tota Roy Chowdhury. The music and dance sequences have also been praised for their vibrancy.
Raazi
No other film portrays Karan Johar’s capabilities as a producer as this movie. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Raazi is a spy thriller starring Alia Bhatt against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. The film is a celebration of patriotism and courage as well as a woman’s tale of surviving the odds and serving her homeland. The movie was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and one of the most significant Karan Johar Dharma Productions movies.
Highlights
The movie is carried by Alia Bhatt’s poignant performance as a woman married into a Pakistani military household. The movie also earned praise for its intelligent direction by Meghna Gulzar, portraying patriotism with human complexities. The music by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy also received acclaim. The movie earned over 200 crores at the box office, becoming a cult classic in the process. Raazi stands as one of the best espionage films in Bollywood history and one of the best Karan Johar films as a producer.
Wake Up Sid
Another film produced by Karan Johar in the list, Wake Up Sid, served as Ayan Mukerjee’s directorial debut. The movie revolves around the character Sid and his journey after meeting Aisha Banerjee. Sid transforms after coming into contact with the aspiring writer, going from a carefree teenager to a disciplined professional.
Highlights
This movie showcased Ranbir Kapoor’s breakout role and his transformation from a childish college student to a mature teenager. Wake Up Sid is also praised for its realistic portrayal of urban youth and college students. The film also benefited from Konkona Sens Sharma’s powerful portrayal of Aisha Banerjee. Wake Up Side also boasts some of the most iconic music of the 21st century, particularly Iktaara. Overall, Karan Johar assembled an effective team that went on to create one of the most memorable coming-of-age Karan Johar Dharma Productions movies of all time.
I Hate Luv Storys
I Hate Luv Storys is a romantic satire about a hopelessly romantic woman and a romance-averse man. Starring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor, the movie is a lighthearted take on romance and the romantic comedy genre. The film was the debut for Punit Malhotra as a director and was produced by Karan Johar. The music was composed by Vishal-Sekhar with lyrics penned down by Vishal Dadlani.
Highlights
The movie is loved because of the elements of satire it incorporates within the film. “I Hate Luv Storys” plays a spoof with the genre it is a part of, with the right amount of self-awareness. Imran Khan’s casual charisma and Sonam Kapoor’s dreamy optimism carry the movie forward. The film’s album also became a hit among the youngsters with songs such as “Bahara,” “Bin tere,” and the title track. The movie was critically praised and became the eighth highest-grossing film of that year.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Another cult classic amongst Karan Johar Dharma Productions movies, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is another collaboration between director Ayan Mukherjee and Karan Johar. Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor star as the leads, and Aditya Roy Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin as the supporting cast. The movie is a romantic comedy revolving around four friends who move apart and reunite for a friend’s wedding.
Highlights
The star cast of the movie is spectacular, with Padukone and Kapoor owning their respective roles. The story and the chemistry are relatable with solid emotional beats. But the highlight of the movie is the songs. The film is replete with romantic melodies for the ages, such as Kaabira and Subhanallah, as well as high-beat dance numbers such as Badtameez Dil and Dilliwali Girlfriend.
Conclusion
Karan Johar is one of the most undeniable forces in Bollywood, who has made his place in the industry through his emotional storytelling and by throwing his support behind new talent. He is a formidable talent who has shaped and reshaped trends in the Bollywood industry. The movies mentioned above stand as testament to his talent as a director and producer. They are incredibly popular movies with immense rewatchable qualities. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could find all of these movies on a single platform? DHOOMDB.com solves this problem by providing you access to all of these movies under one roof. You don’t have to juggle multiple subscriptions and watch the films at your convenience. Sign up for DHOOMDB now.
