Karan Johar responds to criticism on the core theme of infidelity in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

• Are you endorsing infidelity with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK)?

An angry mother came up to me after seeing the film. 'My daughter recently got divorced. I took her out to see a Karan Johar film to cheer her up. But look at what you made her go through!' She was upset. But I think I had made a point. I don't claim to be an expert on marriage nor am I endorsing anything. KANK is my take on what happens when people get married for the wrong reason. The true foundation of an enduring marriage is love. If that love isn't there, things can go wrong at any time in a marriage. That's what happens in KANK. You don't have to agree with what the characters do or say.

• People are reacting vehemently to the Shah Rukh- Rani extra-marital affair.

Every married person sees a bit of him or herself in these characters. KANK is like watching an experience rather than watching a film. Everyone wants to know why Rani doesn't love Abhishek's character. But she doesn't! I can point to a dozen marriages where the perfect spouse leaves their partner. There're million of women who continue to be miserable in passionless marriages. I'm not advocating women to have an affair. But you don't need to be in a loveless marriage. That's what KANK says.

• Surely there're obligations in a marriage that go beyond self-gratification?

I agree. But children shouldn't be made an excuse to keep a dead marriage going. Preity says, 'I'm not one of those who accept defeat in life by making children their weakness. I'm not that weak'.

A Karan Johar film influences a large section of people.

And I haven't been irresponsible towards my audience. The message, if any, is marry for the right reason. And if you're in a miserable marriage you're doing wrong to two people. Incomplete relationships are of no value to anyone. I'd love our women to become more independent and career-minded so that they could have a life of their own even after a broken marriage. Yes, sometimes people tie the knot succumbing to parental or age pressure. Please… treat marriage as a venerable institution which you visit only when you're sure of yourself.

• But you are unmarried. So how do you know the dos and don'ts of marriages?

I'm not married. But I'm an observer of human relationships. And it's my right to use those observations as and how I wish. I know there will be various debates and discussions on KANK and I welcome them.

• One gets to see a lot of Yash Chopra’s Silsila in KANK.

Where? Not consciously. I love Silsila. It's a super take on the cult of infidelity. But I think KANK tells its own story.

• What was the need for the characters of Kajol , Arjun Rampal, John Abraham and Riteish Deshmukh (who was finally cut out)?

Kajol is my lucky mascot. Arjun is an important character. He was someone Preity's character could've settled down with after her failed marriage. But she chose not to. John was the fun thing, why not have a good-looking DJ? As for Riteish there was an entire chunk with Rani in playschool which had to be cut off. Stars are important to a film. But you must understand I took a big risk by casting these stars against their images. Earlier I made good-looking film with white characters. Now it's good-looking with grey characters. Both Shah Rukh and Rani are flawed protagonists.

• Why have you cast Shah Rukh as a cynical and bitter man?

He's unhappy because of his failures. When I projected him as the ebullient Rahul and Aman in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Na Ho everyone said he needed an image change. I'm going to get very upset if people complain now about his change of image. What do you want me to do?

• How do you justify Mr Bachchan's character in the film?

Abhishek's father in the film is a flamboyant character. And who would be better equipped than Mr Bachchan to play the role? He'll be called 'Sexy Sam' for a long time. He trusted that I'd handle his raunchy role with a certain class and dignity. Mr Bachchan rocks at 64. Why do we have to show him as a humble patriarch or a retired don? In real life, he wears the coolest clothes and listens to the coolest music. KANK taps his cool side.

• Can you ever go back to candyfloss?

I can't! I've matured. I've changed. At 25, I made Kuch Kuch Hota Hai because I felt mushy. At 29, I did Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham because I felt reverent towards my parents. At 31, when I wrote Kal Ho Na Ho it was a manifestation of my fear of death. I felt I was going to lose someone dear, and I did (father Yash Johar). At 34 I'm a silent observer, that's why I've made KANK.

source:mumbaimirror