Karan Johar recently shared a surprising behind-the-scenes story from the making of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The filmmaker admitted he cried in front of Salman Khan during the shoot of the iconic song "Saajanji Ghar Aaye." This emotional moment happened because Salman Khan initially wanted to wear jeans and a T-shirt instead of the now-famous black suit.
The First Day Jitters
Karan Johar recounted this incident on Manyavar's YouTube channel. He explained it was his first time working with Salman Khan. The young director felt quite nervous about directing such a big star. "It was his first day on set," Karan said. "I walked into his vanity van and found him wearing a T-shirt and jeans."
Salman Khan had a different vision for his character's entry. The actor suggested that a groom appearing in casual wear would create a new style statement. "If for the first time a groom comes in jeans and a T-shirt, it will be a new style," Salman told Karan. "I'll bring the swag."
The Director's Dilemma
Karan Johar felt increasingly anxious about this idea. He worried about how casual clothing would look against the elaborate set design. He also mentioned Kajol's intricate lehenga in the scene. "The set is so ornate," Karan recalled telling Salman. "Kajal has such an intricate lehenga."
The pressure mounted as Karan imagined the potential mismatch. "I thought, 'If he comes in jeans and a T-shirt, what will happen?'" he said. Despite Salman's reassurance that he could pull off the look, Karan's stress reached a breaking point.
The Emotional Breakdown
Karan Johar's anxiety finally overflowed. "I got so stressed that I started crying in front of him," the filmmaker confessed. Salman Khan appeared nervous seeing the director cry in his vanity van. This emotional display ultimately changed the actor's mind.
"He looked so nervous seeing me crying," Karan said. "Finally, he agreed, 'No, no, I'll wear the suit.'" This agreement led to the shooting of what Karan described as his "first-ever Sangeet song sequence."
The Song's Lasting Legacy
The song "Saajanji Ghar Aaye" has become an unforgettable part of Bollywood history. Salman Khan's entry in the black suit remains etched in public memory. Today, the track features prominently at wedding celebrations across India. Many 90s kids hold special nostalgia for this musical moment.
Recently, social media buzzed with discussion when Kartik Aaryan danced to this iconic song in Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The viral clip sparked both appreciation and criticism from fans who cherish the original.
Another Wardrobe Anecdote
Karan Johar shared another interesting wardrobe story from his early career. During his time as an assistant director on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, he participated in a secret purchase. He, director Aditya Chopra, and fellow assistant Uday Chopra pooled their money to buy an expensive Harley-Davidson jacket.
They kept the actual cost hidden from producer Yash Chopra. "It was a 300-pound jacket in 1994," Karan revealed. "We told him it cost 50 pounds." The team contributed everything they had to afford the jacket for Shah Rukh Khan's character. "Otherwise, it would have been very difficult to explain that SRK was going to wear it throughout the film," Karan added.
Looking back, Karan Johar emphasized the impact of these wardrobe choices. Both the black suit from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and the Harley-Davidson jacket from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge became iconic elements of Bollywood fashion history.
