In a recent candid interview, filmmaker Nikhil Advani has peeled back the curtain on the making of two iconic Bollywood romantic films, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho, revealing a priceless moment when superstar Shah Rukh Khan delivered a stern reality check to a young Karan Johar.
The Day One Debacle on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
While speaking on Radio Nasha's YouTube channel, Advani, who served as an assistant director on Karan Johar's directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, recounted a hilarious yet tense incident from the first day of the shoot. He described how an enthusiastic Johar, in his debutante zeal, had ordered every single piece of film equipment available, from dollies to jibs, much of which was completely unnecessary for the scenes planned.
The scene being filmed, which ultimately did not make the final cut, featured Shah Rukh Khan's character crying outside a dentist's office, with a young Anjali chiding him. The dentist's nameplate humorously read 'Dentist Nikhil Advani'. However, the fun atmosphere quickly shifted once the day's shoot wrapped.
Shah Rukh Khan's Van Lecture
Shah Rukh Khan summoned both Karan Johar and Nikhil Advani into his vanity van. Advani vividly recalled the superstar's words: "Boss, you all don't know anything; tumhe kuch nahi ata hai (you don't know how to do anything). Why did you get all this equipment? It wasn't required for this shot. Figure it out!"
This blunt feedback served as a crucial learning moment. Advani revealed that he immediately suggested to Johar that they should shoot a song sequence next, so he could learn from choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan. Advani credits this experience for shaping his own directorial style, admitting that even now, his approach to shooting scenes is influenced by the rhythmic, planned precision of filming a song sequence.
The Emotional Challenge of Kal Ho Naa Ho's Climax
Shifting focus to Kal Ho Naa Ho, which Nikhil Advani directed, the filmmaker opened up about the immense pressure of shooting the film's iconic, tear-jerking death scene. Having just delivered a monumental performance in the death scene of Devdas, Shah Rukh Khan's involvement raised the stakes.
Advani confessed that he started crying himself, not from emotion but from the anxiety of not knowing how to shoot the sequence effectively. He received sage advice from cinematographer Anil Mehta, who urged him to keep it simple and shoot from Shah Rukh Khan's point of view.
The director realized he had to move away from the grand spectacle of Devdas and focus on the intimate moment between two characters. The audience never actually sees Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) die; the emotional payoff comes from the anticipation and the sacrifice already established. "However much you had to cry while watching the film, you have already cried," Advani concluded, explaining their minimalist approach.
These behind-the-scenes anecdotes offer a fascinating glimpse into the collaborative, sometimes tough-love environment that shaped some of the most beloved films in modern Bollywood history, solidifying Shah Rukh Khan's legacy not just as a star but as a sharp creative mind.
