Karan Johar didn't choose entrepreneurship. Over 25 years, he's honed an unrivalled understanding of the Indian cinema audience, and a supreme knack for predicting trends. But the journey hasn't always been easy
At first glance, Karan Johar’s suburban home isn’t what you imagine. With a white washed wraparound terrace, it’s elegant, filled with plants and books, and a whole lot of… beige. It’s quietly luxurious, of course, but feels like the tranquil antidote to the glitzy Raichand or Randhawa homes we’ve come to expect from Johar.
The shot is ready, and Johar strides into the living room, imposing in a stark aquamarine suit. It’s evident that his fashion and interior styles have different functions—one is a statement, the other, a sanctuary.
At first glance, Johar’s home is cosy and understated. It’s when you suss out the details that you see that it’s decidedly individualistic, with quirky intricacies camouflaging in broad daylight, in just about every corner. A metaphor, perhaps, for his brand of cinema.
“The truth is, he’s always pushed the envelope with his content, but he’s never really gotten his due because it’s all dressed up in things that are so beautiful and so glamorous that people forget he’s pushing that envelope,” says film critic Anupama Chopra.
(This story appears in the 29 December, 2023 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)