Filmmaker Karan Johar has shared a traumatic memory from his early career, revealing that working with legendary choreographer Saroj Khan on the iconic song Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge left him deeply shaken and emotionally scarred.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Karan recounted being publicly scolded and physically pushed by Saroj Khan during a last-minute production crisis.
The Red Scarf Crisis
At the time, Karan was working as an assistant to director Aditya Chopra. The production unexpectedly ran out of red scarves for the background dancers, a responsibility handed to Karan at the last minute.
To manage the situation, he improvised by suggesting a workaround to Saroj Khan’s assistant, Jojo, asking the dancers to keep one hand in their pockets to compensate for the missing fabric.
However, when Saroj Khan arrived on set, she immediately noticed the problem and confronted Karan.
“She literally pushed me. She said, ‘Tu jahaan jaana chaahe, ja, Goregaon ja, laal kapda la, warna main shoot nahi karungi’ (Go wherever you need to go, go to Goregaon, bring the red cloth, otherwise I will not shoot),” Karan recalled.
What followed was a frantic dash through Mumbai streets, desperately trying to procure the missing scarves.
“I still remember running on the streets of Goregaon saying, ‘laal kapda! Laal kapda!’ I was scared for my life. I was traumatised,” he said.
Acknowledging Saroj Khan’s Brilliance
Despite the harrowing incident, Karan acknowledged Saroj Khan’s unmatched talent in choreography. Yet, he admitted their personal rapport never improved:
“She was the best. She somehow did not like me. She never liked me.”
Saroj Khan passed away on July 3, 2020, at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest. She had previously been admitted to Mumbai’s Guru Nanak Hospital for breathing difficulties.
Karan Johar’s Recent Career Highlights
On the professional front, Karan Johar has had a mixed year. His latest production, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, starring Ananya Panday and Kartik Aaryan, has earned ₹49.5 crore since its release on December 25, 2025, but failed to resonate widely with audiences.
Upcoming projects include:
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Nagzilla – a supernatural high-fantasy comedy-drama starring Kartik Aaryan, set to release in August 2026.
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Chand Mera Dil – a romantic drama featuring Lakshya and Ananya Panday, scheduled for release on April 10, 2026.
Karan also achieved critical recognition when his home production Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars, though it ultimately did not secure a final nomination.
