‘Bullied Karan Johar a lot in school,’ admits Nikkhil Advani: ‘Today he can bully all of us’

Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani shared how Karan Johar approached him to assist him on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai despite being bullied by him in school.

Filmmakers Nikkhil Advani and Karan Johar studied in Greenlawns School in Mumbai together. (Photos: Nikkhil Advani, Karan Johar/ Instagram)

Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani recently shared an anecdote from his early days with fellow filmmaker Karan Johar when they were both in school. Nikkhil shared that he was a year senior to Karan and admitted that he would bully Karan a lot in those days. They attended Greenlawns School in Mumbai.

“I used to bully him in school. I bullied him a lot. Everybody used to bully Karan, it was unfortunate,” Nikkhil revealed in an interview with Cyrus Broacha. However, their relationship took a dramatic turn years later. After assisting on the iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Nikkhil met Karan. Karan was looking for feedback on the script of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and asked Nikkhil to review it. “Karan meets me and says, ‘Will you hear my script?’ I said, ‘Yeah, sure'”.

Nikkhil shared that he visited Karan’s house to read the script, only to discover that it was half-written. Despite its incomplete state, Nikkhil was impressed. “He then narrated the script and I said it was very good, it was superb.” Karan then extended an unexpected offer, “He asked me if I would assist him.” Given their past, Nikkhil found the request surprising. “Which was quite weird because I used to bully him in school.” Nevertheless, Nikkhil accepted, and they began working on what would become the blockbuster film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji with a cameo appearance by Salman Khan.

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Also read | Nikhil Advani opens up on rift with Karan Johar post Kal Ho Naa Ho release: ‘We chose to listen to what other people were telling us’

Their collaboration marked a new chapter in their relationship, transforming from schoolyard bully to professional partners. Today, Karan Johar is a powerhouse in Bollywood, and Nikkhil Advani acknowledged the reversal of fortunes. “But today, he can bully all of us,” he said.

The two filmmakers continued to work together, with Nikkhil assisting Karan on Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. However, their professional relationship took a hit after the release of Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), which Nikkhil directed and Karan produced. The film’s success was marred by creative differences and tensions between the two.

After being a part for a few years, the two have now mended their relationship.

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