Karan Johar was once scared of veteran choreographer: 'I was traumatised'

Long before Karan Johar became one of Hindi cinema’s most influential filmmakers, he was a young assistant director navigating the pressures of a massive film set. During those early days, he often found himself overwhelmed, especially when working alongside industry veterans. One such figure was legendary choreographer Saroj Khan, whose commanding presence left a deep impression on him while he was assisting on the blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

In an interaction years later, Karan reflected on how intimidating that phase of his career was. As a junior crew member, he was still learning the ropes and frequently felt anxious around senior artistes. Saroj Khan, known for her discipline and uncompromising standards, particularly made him nervous. Her reputation alone was enough to keep him constantly on edge during the shoot.

Karan recalled a specific episode from the filming of the film’s iconic song Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna. Although celebrated designer Manish Malhotra and director Aditya Chopra’s mother, Pamela Chopra, were primarily responsible for the costumes, it was Karan’s duty to coordinate and ensure smooth execution on set. He worked closely with Pamela Chopra, who personally supervised the wardrobe and paid attention to every detail, while Karan assisted her in managing the practical aspects.


A sudden complication arose when an unexpected requirement came up during the choreography. Red scarves were needed for the dancers during the energetic Shaava step. Unfortunately, there was not enough fabric available at such short notice. The limited material could barely be used for a single hand, making it impossible to style all the dancers as requested.

Thinking quickly, Karan tried to salvage the situation with a creative workaround. He approached Saroj Khan’s assistant and proposed an alternative choreography-based solution. His suggestion was that the dancers could keep one hand in their pocket while holding the scarf in the other, which he believed would look trendy and avoid an awkward visual effect. The assistant found the idea appealing and seemed convinced.

However, the suggestion did not go down well when Saroj Khan herself reviewed it. As soon as she examined the move, she questioned the missing hand position. When the explanation was offered, her reaction was immediate and furious. The improvisation clearly did not meet her expectations.

What followed was a moment of absolute chaos for the young assistant director. Saroj Khan physically confronted him, ordering him to find the required red fabric at any cost before the shoot could continue. With no other option, Karan ran through the streets of Goregaon alongside the costume staff, frantically searching for red satin cloth. The experience left him shaken, fearful, and deeply stressed.

Despite the terror of that moment, Karan later acknowledged Saroj Khan’s exceptional talent and authority. While she may have been intimidating and openly displeased with him at the time, he recognised that her strictness stemmed from her commitment to excellence. In his eyes, she remained unmatched in her craft, even if she never warmed up to him during those early years.