Kal Ho Na Ho director Nikkhil Advani talks about fallout with Karan Johar, says "I was very close to his father..."

Nikkhil Advani and Karan Johar fallout

Acclaimed filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, renowned for his 2003 hit Kal Ho Naa Ho, recently discussed his fallout with producer Karan Johar and other industry relationships in a candid interview.

Looking back at the aftermath of Kal Ho Naa Ho's success, Nikkhil Advani opened up about the emotional and professional conflicts that followed, emphasizing the misunderstandings that surfaced. Despite the challenges, Advani acknowledged his personal growth and the valuable lessons he learned, explaining how these experiences ultimately shaped his outlook on both the film industry and his career trajectory.

While talking to Digital Commentary, Advani recalled, "I was very close to his father. It wasn’t a creative clash; it was more of an emotional clash. ‘How could you listen to other people who are saying this about me?’ My whole thing was people aren’t giving me credit for one love story, so I’ll do six love stories."

He revealed that the confusion and frustration during that period led him to part ways with Dharma Productions, as there was much debate surrounding the film's directorial credit.

Despite the fallout, Advani stressed that he and Johar have since mended their relationship and moved past their previous differences. “Luckily, we’ve put everything behind us. We’ve both grown up and can differentiate between films and life," he stated.

The director also spoke about the difficulties he faced in his career following the box-office failure of Salaam-E-Ishq. Feeling the weight of the pressure, he took on projects like Chandni Chowk to China, hoping it would help him make a successful comeback.

Advani discussed industry relationships in detail, praising the unbreakable bonds between Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty, as well as Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, and Shah Rukh Khan. He compared these enduring partnerships to his own experiences, reflecting on the complexities and dynamics of such relationships in the film industry. He said, "There was a three-year period where people stopped taking my calls because my films weren’t working."

He also shared insights into his estrangement with actors like John Abraham and Anil Kapoor, explaining “Me and John drifted apart for a few years… I didn’t talk to Anil Kapoor or Govinda for 10 years."

He acknowledged that his bond with John Abraham has transformed over time, with their discussions now centered on mutual interests such as football, politics, food, and fitness, instead of film-related topics. Advani's most recent film, Vedaa, starring John Abraham, was released in 2024.