KJo’s Sortie at Forty

A part of me feels I never left my 20’s especially emotionally and in terms of energy levels and then there are days when I feel 60 when the grind of life makes me reach an emotional nirvana.

Looking back,how did your 30’s treat you?

Two big things stand out. I lost my father (Yash Johar) when I was 32 and emotionally it has been the biggest loss. He was also the guiding light of our Dharma Productions and without him I felt unequipped to deal with life and business. I don’t really have a support system in the family because my mother and I only have each other. I had to carry on because I wanted to take his vision forward and depend on my friendships to get over this loss. My childhood friend,Apoorva Mehta really came to my rescue—he left his job in London and took charge of the company. Basically,we built Dharma together. That’s when the seed of building a pool of new directors took shape and we launched Tarun Mansukhani,Punit Malhotra,Shakun Batra and Karan Malhotra. Now we’re focusing on developing new acting talent,which is why my next happy holiday film,Student of The Year is with newbies.

Tell us about the big party you’re throwing which you have said is like your marriage?

See,everyone has that one party where you get lots of pictures taken. I never had this opportunity since there’s been no wedding or baby in my life. I really wanted to celebrate my ride in the industry and 40 is just a round figure so I said let’s do it now. I left everything to Manish (Malhotra) who is constructing the entire evening. Now I feel I have a Friday release. Everyone is in a tizzy about what to wear. It’s a bow tie event so everyone is going mad since we know there is a fine line between looking chic in a bow tie and looking like the hired help.

What are you wearing?

I have a couple of options. Varun (Bahl) is making something fantastic but he hasn’t sent it across yet. Yes,I’ll be wearing a bow tie too. In my head it’s the Academy Awards ball.

Big dreams for the 40’s?

I always feel I didn’t live my 20’s enough. I wish I had travelled more,met more people. I’d like to take off and live on my own in New York,do a course in NYU. Basically I’d like to put a comma in my life,go away for a bit,come back and complete my life sentence.

They say 40’s bring out the midlife crisis in a man. Are you geared up for that?

Midlife crisis happens to those who have been through marriage,kids and they suddenly get pangs about going old. I’ve not gone through enough life to merit a midlife crisis yet. However,I do feel all the things that I didn’t do till now—have a love life,have a deep relationship—will happen in my 40’s so maybe I’ll have my midlife at 60. No male menopause for me as yet for sure.

They say men get naughty at 40,what are your plans?

(Laughs) Well,I hope I get naughty. Before I get there,I should get active. First of all I have to stop being good anymore. I’ll focus on that.

Who makes your ‘sexy at 40’ list?

Aamir,Shah Rukh and Salman. All three of them have such incredible career graphs and are still riding the wave. Nobody can match them. That’s sexy.

Is there any cinema dream you are itching to achieve?

I feel I haven’t yet made a film worthy of being in the 100 best lists,a film that has archival status. I haven’t made my Lagaan,my Kaagaz Ke Phool,Mughal-e-Azam or Pyaasa. I hope I do make that film and that I live long enough to realize it.