"My first film without K is slighly gay"… Karan Johar on the prickly subject of homosexuality.
From loving the family to loving your friend…quite a leap, huh?
At the end of the end it’s all about loving. Whom you love and how is a personal choice. You’ve a right to choose whom you love. Dostana addresses itself in a comic way to the individual’s right to choose. And I fully believe in that.
Your friends and family watched the film earlier this week. Their reactions?
Trial shows are superb indications of what’s to come.Much preferable than premires which I never have. Somewhere in the people’e reactions lies a book. I called the people I love. Some loved Dostana others hated it. I take neither praise nor criticism to heart.
What did your mom think of Dostana and its gay jokes?
My mom loved it. Because she loves me and my director Tarun Mansukhani. Also because she was amused. She’s a happy person. And she likes happy films. Dostana is a happy film. Happy and gay. My first film without a ’K’ is slightly gay.
Hours away from the release of Dostana. Are you delighted by the way people have taken to Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham’s gay jokes ?
I’ve to say this. It’s very brave of Abhishek and John to put themselves into this gay situation and not be embarrassed or selfconscious. They’ve given 300 percent of themselves without flinching.
More power in the industry to this kind of positive thinking.More than myself I’m delighted for my director Tarun Mansukhani. He’s truly the blue-eyed boy at Dharma productions. He has been with us from the start. Tarun’s forte is comedy.
He’s a funny guy. And the film isn’t just about gay jokes. It definitely puts out a subtle message on homosexuality.
Which is?
I think the whole question of gay acceptance is prevalent all over the world. It’s just a myth that in the West people accept homosexuality more readily than they do in these parts. I feel the gay community should be given the respect it deserves. Dostana is a funny though not offensive take on the issue.
You’re surrounded by funny guys.
I kind of rub off on them and they rub off on me, pun certainly not intended. Gawd knows what would be made of that comment considering the theme of Dostana. Tarun has extracted really funny performances from Abhishek, John, Priyanka and Kirronji (Kher).
But what if tomorrow even the gay community takes offence?
It’s not a laughter that’s meant to offend. Nowhere does the film offend people of any sexual orientation. We’ve treated the theme with great dignity. We’ve taken homosexuality to an amusing level but not at the cost dignity. Let’s just see how it goes. I do believe audiences are far more evolved than we give them credit for.
Do you think you can swing it?
I’m asked if our actors can do Brokeback Mountain. Well, Abhishek and John have done Dostana. It’s an equally brave film.
Would you say this is a funny take on homosexuality just as Brokeback Mountain was a serious take on the subject?
Why only homosexuality? Can’t heterosexuality be funny? Nowhere have done anything to upset anybody. We’ve done our best. At the end of the day this is my director Tarun Mansukhani’s baby all the way.
Did you ever feel it could backfire?
Nothing ventured nothing gained. I didn’t just want to push the envelope I wanted to tear it. Even my Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna pushed the envelope. I made a Rs 50 crore film on infidelity. Now I’ve made a 50 crore film with homosexual overtones. Anyone who calls me a bubblegum filmmaker now needs a serious reality check.
What about John’s skin show?
It goes with the film’s mood. Any exposure out of context is vulgar. If you saw Dhoom 2 everyone wore minimalist clothes because they were in Rio. My characters in Dostana are in Miami. It’s the partying capital of the world.
What should they wear if not casuals? My trio exudes a sex appeal in their body exposure. I think Priyanka and John are highly aesthetic in their beachwear.
John has exposed more skin than any other leading man.
He’s got the body, why not flaunt it? If you’ve a beautiful house don’t you invite guests to see it? If you’ve made a film you’re proud of don’t you want audiences to watch it? If John has a great body why not show it? Why was he working so hard in the gym for his bodyt? For his personal trainer to enjoy it?
You’ve proved your power as a filmmaker by marketing Dostana so well.
There’s no such thing as a powerful filmmaker. There’s only a powerful film. All of us filmmakers are sailing in the same boat. I’d like to say Tarun Mansukhani is the real star of Dostana. Now I’m off to meet Kajol for a dress trial of My Name Is Khan. Yes, I’ve already left Dostana behind. God bless the film.
