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Nikkhil Advani Reflects on Emotional Clashes and Industry Relationships

Last Updated: January 02, 2025, 22:54 IST

Revisiting a Complicated Past with Karan Johar

Nikkhil Advani, renowned for his direction of the iconic film Kal Ho Naa Ho, recently shared insights into his professional journey, including a notable fallout with producer Karan Johar. In a revealing interview with Digital Commentary, Advani articulated the emotional complexities and misunderstandings that ensued after the film’s significant success.

Reflecting on his relationship with Johar, Advani noted the closeness he once had with Johar’s late father. He pointed out that their rift was not rooted in creative differences but rather in emotional responses to external perceptions. “How could you listen to other people who are saying this about me?” he recalled feeling at the time, emphasizing that he felt overlooked for his contributions to the film. This tension ultimately led him to depart from Dharma Productions amid swirling assumptions regarding the film’s directorial credit.

Despite these challenges, Advani expressed optimism about their current relationship with Johar. “Luckily, we’ve put everything behind us. We’ve both grown up and can differentiate between films and life,” he stated, highlighting a reconciliatory perspective on their past disputes.

Advani also opened up about the professional hurdles he faced following the underperformance of his film Salaam-E-Ishq. The pressure to succeed led him to undertake diverse projects, such as Chandni Chowk to China, in hopes of revitalizing his career.

In discussing industry dynamics, Advani praised the robust affiliations among prominent filmmakers and actors, particularly focusing on the lasting partnerships between Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty, as well as Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, and Shah Rukh Khan. He compared these connections to his own experiences, noting a period in which he struggled to maintain industry ties, stating, “There was a three-year period where people stopped taking my calls because my films weren’t working.”

Advani candidly addressed his distancing from various actors, including John Abraham and Anil Kapoor, narrating how personal and professional relationships can shift over time. “Me and John drifted apart for a few years… I didn’t talk to Anil Kapoor or Govinda for 10 years,” he revealed. However, he noted that his camaraderie with Abraham has since evolved, as their talks have matured to cover shared interests beyond the film industry, including football, politics, food, and fitness. Notably, Advani’s latest project, Vedaa, featuring Abraham, was released in 2024, indicating a rekindling of their collaborative spirit.

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