Filmmaker Karan Johar recently shared a candid revelation, admitting he knew his 2017 production, Ok Jaanu, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, was destined to fail at the box office because he ignored his instincts.
The Power of Intuition in Filmmaking
Karan Johar believes that intuition is a crucial “superpower,” especially in the dynamic world of film. He shared on the Jay Shetty Podcast that failing to listen to one’s gut feeling is a disservice to that inherent strength.
Johar recounted an early pivotal moment when Aditya Chopra recognized his potential, redirecting him from a fashion design career towards filmmaking. This moment, he says, profoundly altered his life’s path and shaped the future of Dharma Productions.
Spotting Future Stars and Directors
Throughout his extensive career, Johar claims his intuition has been a reliable guide for discovering talent. He feels a strong “gut” sense about individuals destined for greatness.
He cited examples like Ayan Mukerji, Shakun Batra, and Shashank Khaitan, all of whom he championed despite their lack of prior experience. Johar recalled telling Ayan Mukerji to direct a film after assisting him, leading to the successful Wake Up Sid. He simply “felt it,” even when others questioned his decision.
The Ok Jaanu Regret
However, Johar admits that he hasn’t always heeded his inner voice. He pinpointed Ok Jaanu, a remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil hit OK Kanmani, as a prime example of when he ignored his gut feeling.
Despite Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur being a popular pair after their hit Aashiqui 2, and the project coming with a great director, Shaad Ali, Johar harbored doubts. He questioned if the essence and “moment” of the original film could truly be recaptured in a remake.
Lessons from a Box Office Underperformance
Despite the strong cast and established source material, Ok Jaanu struggled at the box office. It grossed only Rs 39.3 crore against a budget of Rs 27 crore and received largely negative reviews from critics.
Karan Johar reflected on the film’s performance, stating it wasn’t anyone’s individual fault. Everyone involved did their job well. Yet, deep down, he knew the project wasn’t the right move for him, and he failed to act on that premonition.
- Karan Johar considers intuition a “superpower” vital for decision-making.
- He has successfully relied on his gut to discover talent like Ayan Mukerji.
- Johar admits he ignored his intuition with Ok Jaanu, sensing it was not the right remake.
- The film underperformed, reinforcing his belief in trusting instincts.
Johar openly concluded that he sometimes still makes the mistake of not listening to his instincts, and “when I don’t, I go wrong.”
