I can’t cut corners: KJo

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No one had expected Karan Johar to revert to his Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham days, especially after he shifted gears with My Name Is Khan. But reverted back he has and on such a massive scale that Student of the Year is touted to be up there with K3G and KANK.

“Well, I have grown to realise that no matter what I direct, I can’t make a small budget film,” says Karan, adding, “I just can’t cut corners even if I am making a holiday film like Student of the Year. Making films on lavish scales comes naturally to me; even if I try, I can’t curb that.”
One would have expected him to go slow considering that Student… does not boast of a Shah Rukh or a Kajol but newcomers Siddharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. “But this time around the endeavour was for me to not work with established stars,” defends Karan, “I wanted to make an entertaining film with youngsters and wanted to be challenged by working with first-time actors.
“See, I have worked with some extremely prolific actors, be it Mr Bachchan, Shah Rukh, Kajol, Kareena, Hrithik, Abhishek, Rani or Preity. To launch three main leads with a bunch of other first timers has been a great opportunity. In fact the only big actor that I have in the film is Rishi Kapoor; otherwise everyone is a first timer. That’s a kick good enough for me.”
There is a buzz that good buddy SRK has done a cameo for the film but Karan nixes that rumour. “No, Shah Rukh won’t be there in front of the camera. He plays the biggest part of being a co-producer in the film though. I didn’t expect anything else from him though, since he is emotionally and professionally connected to the film in any case.”
“In fact I was extremely touched and honoured when Shah Rukh consented to giving moral support to the film and also lent his name. Creatively too he was always there for the film. He is extremely encouraging to new talent and when it comes to Siddharth, Varun and Alia, he has gone out of his way to cheer them on.”
About the film’s story, Karan has a word of caution, “See, Student of the Year has a very simple screenplay. It is not a path-breaking story but eventually takes the audience for an entertaining ride. It is all heart and that’s the way it should be seen.”