Filmmaker Karan Johar turns 42 today

Even at 42, the multi-talented persona  feels he is still in his twenties

 

In an interview to The Times of India, Johar said: "I don't feel 42, though I may be looking it. In my head and heart I am still in my twenties. The reason for that is that I lost my 20s and 30s to work. 20s, as I was building my career and 30s, as I lost my dad and had to build my company. I feel now is the time when I am getting some kind of me time and my head is opened up. I hang out with the younger generation and in my head, I don't feel any older than them. When I go out shopping, I have to consciously remind myself that no Karan, you can't buy this. You can't buy red shoes. I am half-Sindhi, so bling is a part of my DNA inherently."

 

"If I buy bling, I feel I might be like those jaded uncles, whom I would myself laugh at when I was in college. I don't want to be that person. I won't buy bright coloured shoes, I don't want bling in my wardrobe. The third toss up is should I keep the grey or not. Some times I feel forget it, I should just keep it and age gracefully. And then I think of the term age gracefully and I get scared and no, I must Loreal as I am worth it and go back in my Jawaani Deewani mode. I know I am between young and middle-aged, so I have to just enjoy the zone I am in," he said.

 

The last year and the start of 2014 has been extremely successful for Johar, whose Dharma Productions delivered hits like 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' and recently '2 States'.

 

Johar entered the film industry as an actor in Aditya Chopra's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' in 1995. 

 

He later made his directorial debut with the highly successful romantic film, 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998) which won him a Filmfare Award For Best Director and Filmfare Best Screenplay Award.

 

His subsequent directorial efforts were the family drama, 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001) and the romantic drama, 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (2006), a movie which dealt with the theme of adultery. 

 

Both films were major financial successes in India and abroad. 

 

Johar thus traversed a long way to establish himself as one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood.

 

His fourth film, 'My Name Is Khan' (2010) was met with positive reviews and grossed 2 billion (US$37 million) worldwide. It earned him his second Best Director award at the Filmfare ceremony.

 

He is the head of the production company Dharma Productions, which has delivered some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and abroad.

 

Besides films, Johar has established himself as a popular host of the celebrity-based chat show 'Koffee with Karan', in which he interviews renowned celebrities from Bollywood and India's glamour world.

 

He along with Madhuri Dixit and Remo D'Souza, has appeared as judges of celebrity dance show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'.

 

Johar has a long list of upcoming films being produced by his company including: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Ungli, Badtameez Dil, Gutka and Shuddhi.

 

On his birthday, actor Boman Irani tweeted: "Many happy returns of the day dear Karan. Lots of love always!!!"

 

Posting a picture of Johar and her, filmmaker Farah Khan tweeted: "Happy birthday@karanjohar this yr hav lots of what I always wish for you every year."

 

Filmmaker Ritesh Sidhwani ‏posted: "@karanjohar happy birthday my friend heard u had a killer night.. Speak soon luv."

 

Actor Uday Chopra ‏tweeted:"Happy birthday @karanjohar hope you had a blast last night…sorry wasn’t there…but I did have a few drinks on your name."

 

Posting a picture, actress Bipasha Basu ‏wished:"Happy happy birthday @karanjohar !Bless you and your beautiful home! Keep shining!Love!"

 

Designer Manish Malhotra ‏tweeted: "My dearest friend @karanjohar Happy Birthday :-) wonderful happy creative fun year ahead."

 

Actress Parineeti Chopra tweeted:"Happy happy happy bday @karanjohar !!! Wish you all the happiness :)"