Karan Johar is one of Bollywood’s most recognisable filmmakers today, but even he had his moments of self-doubt early on. Recently, the director looked back at one such emotional memory from the sets of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—a moment that left him crying inside Salman Khan’s vanity van.
When Karan Johar Got Emotional on the KKHH Set
Apart from directing and producing films, Karan Johar now also hosts a podcast for a leading clothing brand. In a recent episode, he was joined by Neeti Mohan, Shakti Mohan, and Mukti Mohan, where they chatted about what goes into creating the perfect Bollywood wedding sangeet.
That conversation took Karan down memory lane to his very first wedding song as a director—Saajanji Ghar Aaye from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Karan revealed that KKHH was also his first time working with Salman Khan. Already nervous as a first-time director, he admitted he was completely overwhelmed by Salman’s star power.
On Salman’s first day on set, Karan walked into his vanity van to discuss the shoot. Salman was dressed casually—in just a T-shirt and jeans. Karan explained that the song would be shot on a grand, elaborate set. Salman listened and casually replied,
“Yes, but if for the first time a groom comes in jeans and a T-shirt, it’ll be a new style. I’ll bring the swag.”
While Salman was relaxed and confident, Karan panicked.
The set was lavish, the mood was traditional, and Kajol—Salman’s co-star—was dressed in a heavily embroidered lehenga. “If he comes in jeans and a T-shirt, what will happen?” Karan thought to himself.
The pressure became too much for the young director. Overwhelmed and anxious, Karan couldn’t hold back his emotions and ended up crying right there in Salman Khan’s vanity van.
Seeing Karan in tears made Salman nervous too. Eventually, the actor agreed to wear the traditional outfit and step onto the set as planned.
“And he came,” Karan recalled with a smile. “And then we shot my very first sangeet song—Saajanji Ghar Aaye.”
What began as a moment of stress turned into one of Bollywood’s most memorable wedding songs—and a cherished behind-the-scenes story from Karan Johar’s early days as a filmmaker.