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Karan Johar Birthday: When He Met Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio
Updated on: 25 May, 2025 08:00 AM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Karan Johar With Martin Socrsese, Shah Rukh Khan, and Leonardo DiCaprio
As acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar gears up to celebrate his birthday on May 25, it`s a fitting time to look back at a truly star-studded memory he shared, alongside a recent career milestone that feels like a dream fulfilled. Johar recently recounted a memorable, nerve-wracking encounter with Hollywood titans Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, an event made possible by none other than Shah Rukh Khan.
At the time, Johar was in Berlin for `My Name Is Khan` (2010), which was the opening night film at that festival. He described his awe, saying, “Scorsese was speaking to Shah Rukh about archiving Indian cinema. I was just watching them, and in my head, I remember thinking, ‘Will there ever come a day when I have a conversation with him about cinema?’ I was just sitting there like a fan of a filmmaker. We even invited him to the screening, and he said he would try to attend.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Karan Johar`s admiration has circled back in the most incredible way. His production house, Dharma Productions, has backed `Homebound`, a film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. This project proudly features Martin Scorsese’s name as an executive producer – a collaboration Johar admits he never imagined. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, significantly received a nine-minute standing ovation at the ongoing 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. `Homebound` holds the distinction of being the only Indian feature film selected for Cannes this year.
Also Read: Homebound At Cannes: Neeraj Ghaywan On Receiving Feedback From Martin Scorsese
He further elaborated on the surreal nature of this accomplishment: “Even in my wildest dreams, if someone had told me this, I would’ve thought, ‘What are you smoking? That’s never going to happen.’ And yet, it has. I can now die and go to heaven or hell, or wherever I’m accepted. I have a film with Martin Scorsese’s name alongside mine.”
Unable to hide his sheer delight, Johar confessed, “I’m very elated. I don’t know how to act cool about this. I’m sorry. I’m just really, really excited.” This collaboration marks a significant high point in an already illustrious career, turning a fanboy moment into a professional triumph.
Also Read: All Eyes on Alia: What to Expect from Her Cannes 2025 Red Carpet Debut
An Unforgettable Meeting in Berlin
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Karan Johar fondly recalled his first and only meeting with the cinematic legends. This once-in-a-lifetime moment occurred during the promotions for their film `Shutter Island` (2010). “My first and only meeting with him was in Shah Rukh Khan’s suite in Berlin. Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio walked in, and my knees started rattling a little bit. They were there for Shutter Island,” he shared.At the time, Johar was in Berlin for `My Name Is Khan` (2010), which was the opening night film at that festival. He described his awe, saying, “Scorsese was speaking to Shah Rukh about archiving Indian cinema. I was just watching them, and in my head, I remember thinking, ‘Will there ever come a day when I have a conversation with him about cinema?’ I was just sitting there like a fan of a filmmaker. We even invited him to the screening, and he said he would try to attend.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Karan Johar`s admiration has circled back in the most incredible way. His production house, Dharma Productions, has backed `Homebound`, a film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. This project proudly features Martin Scorsese’s name as an executive producer – a collaboration Johar admits he never imagined. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, significantly received a nine-minute standing ovation at the ongoing 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. `Homebound` holds the distinction of being the only Indian feature film selected for Cannes this year.
Also Read: Homebound At Cannes: Neeraj Ghaywan On Receiving Feedback From Martin Scorsese
A "Wildest Dream" Materialised
Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Johar expressed his disbelief and immense joy. “I have a feature film helmed by Neeraj Ghaywan, and that is the most important part for me. But at the same time, Dharma has produced a film that has a Martin Scorsese credit in it.”He further elaborated on the surreal nature of this accomplishment: “Even in my wildest dreams, if someone had told me this, I would’ve thought, ‘What are you smoking? That’s never going to happen.’ And yet, it has. I can now die and go to heaven or hell, or wherever I’m accepted. I have a film with Martin Scorsese’s name alongside mine.”
Unable to hide his sheer delight, Johar confessed, “I’m very elated. I don’t know how to act cool about this. I’m sorry. I’m just really, really excited.” This collaboration marks a significant high point in an already illustrious career, turning a fanboy moment into a professional triumph.
Also Read: All Eyes on Alia: What to Expect from Her Cannes 2025 Red Carpet Debut
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