Returning to Cannes after 12 years, Karan Johar recalls the day when his father sold ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ Rights for just $5,000
It was a nostalgic and emotional moment at the Bharat Pavilion at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as filmmaker Karan Johar took to the stage alongside director Neeraj Ghaywan, reflecting on his early Cannes memories and his late father Yash Johar’s vision.
Speaking at a special session hosted at the Bharat Pavilion—organised by NFDC and FICCI under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting—Karan Johar shared a heartfelt anecdote from 2002, when he accompanied his father Yash Johar to Cannes.
“I have a lot of emotional memories of Cannes. I remember it was 2002 when I came here with my father. He struck a deal here and we sold the European rights of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham for five thousand dollars,” said Johar. “I thought it was very less and I asked my father about it. He told me, ‘Look, we have to make a start somewhere.’ He wasn’t there to see the cultural movement we created with Bollywood films.”
The filmmaker also reminisced about attending the screening of Devdas that same year. “Aishwarya and Shah Rukh were on the red carpet. Aishwarya is literally like the queen of Cannes. Every time we are here, Ash creates a huge amount of media energy and excitement,” Johar said.
Karan also recalled his 2013 return to the festival with Bombay Talkies, alongside Anurag Kashyap and Zoya Akhtar. “That year, I met Guneet Monga and watched ‘The Lunchbox’. It was doing so well, and I decided to present the film to Indian audiences,” he said.
Reflecting on his long-standing association with Cannes, Karan added, “I have so many memories attached. I haven’t been here for the last 12 years. Coming back to the Bharat Pavilion feels like going back 21 years. My father was here so many times—it feels like home.”
Karan Johar and Neeraj Ghaywan are in Cannes for their film Homebound that is being screened under the Un Certain Regard category.
The Bharat Pavilion at the Cannes is a cultural hub that brings together filmmakers, producers, distributors, and global cinema enthusiasts to celebrate and showcasing India’s growing presence on the world film stage.
