Karan Johar - interview

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There's no Karan Johar element in 'Wake Up Sid': Karan Johar

Once the script of "Wake Up Sid" was ready, the star cast finalised and shooting of the film commenced, producer Karan Johar says he completely backed off and let first time director Ayan Mukerji run the entire show.

"There isn't any Karan Johar element that you would see in 'Wake Up Sid'. It doesn't have any gloss, glamour or grandeur that one associates with me. In fact, it doesn't have any pre-requisite that one expects from a Dharma Productions," Karan told IANS.

Karan, who has directed hits like "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", has produced this Ranbir Kapoor-Konkona Sen Sharma- starrer that releases Friday.

For him it is the dawn of a new era for Dharma Productions as newer filmmakers are joining the banner, aspiring to make some pathbreaking yet commercial cinema.

"Yes, now is the time for new age Dharma Productions to start making a mark. It's a new reality that we are facing and new energy we are experiencing. This is what is keeping me so excited because I have a number of movies in production, all of which are being made by different filmmakers."

After Mukerji, another debutant director Rensil D'Souza will release his "Kurbaan" in November. Tarun Mansukhani is getting animation flick "Koochie Koochie Hota Hai" in place while working on "Dostana 2".

First timer Siddharth Malhotra has finished ground work on the Hindi remake of "Stepmom", while debutant Punit Malhotra's "I Hate Love Stories" is also in the pipeline.

His Dharma Productions has roped in another newcomer, Karan Malhotra, to direct the "Agneepath" remake, while Karan's own "My Name Is Khan" is scheduled for an early 2010 release.

"With so many films in different stages of production, it would be unfair on my part to be involved in each and every aspect of filmmaking. When I get someone to direct a film, I better allow him to take over the reins while being there for support only if required.

"This was the guiding principle that I applied for 'Wake Up Sid' too. I backed off completely once it came on floors. In fact, I didn't even get into the music or the look of the film; I wanted Ayan to visualise it all and take decisions. I didn't want to clutter his way of thinking by giving any unnecessary advice," said Karan.

He is glad with his decision to rope in Mukerji, who is Kajol's cousin, for "Wake Up Sid".

"The only person who could have done 'Wake Up Sid' was Ayan. It was his idea and he is the one who could do complete justice to it since he is younger and in the same zone as Sid, the protagonist. There was no way I could have come into his way and bring in some kind of fantastical aspect to the plot," Karan said.

"Why should I come in the way of any filmmaker's vision? It's their baby and it should not necessarily look the way I want it. I don't want them to be me. I want my directors to be their own brand," he added.