Karan Johar Lauds Ranveer Singh’s Dedication in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’

Director praises actor’s commitment to challenging gender norms through Kathak performance

After a brief hiatus from filmmaking, Karan Johar made a notable return with the romantic comedy ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The film has been celebrated for its fresh narrative, with Alia’s character, Rani, confronting patriarchal norms, while Ranveer’s portrayal of Rocky defies traditional stereotypes.

In a conversation with Lilly Singh on her YouTube channel, Johar discussed Ranveer Singh’s Kathak dance sequence to “Dola Re Dola” alongside Tota Roy Chowdhury. He emphasized Singh’s unwavering dedication to his role, stating, “Ranveer is the greenest flag that you will find.” Johar highlighted the actor’s commitment to authentically embodying Rocky Randhawa.

Johar further revealed that Singh underwent a month and a half of rigorous training for the Kathak sequence. Recalling a conversation, he mentioned, “He called me at one point and said, ‘Look, I don’t think I have this Kathak bone in my body, but I’m gonna give it all.'” Despite lacking classical dance training, both Singh and Chowdhury, under the guidance of choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, delivered a performance marked by grace and professionalism. Johar noted that there was no hesitation or concern about maintaining a traditional leading man image; Singh approached the scene with confidence and authenticity.

In the same interview, Johar reflected on his debut film, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ acknowledging a “latent hypocrisy” in Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Rahul. He also recounted being admonished by actress Shabana Azmi after she viewed the film.

For a deeper insight into Karan Johar’s perspectives on growth and navigating challenges in the industry, you might find his discussion with Lilly Singh enlightening: