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एक अनोखा लड़का
करण जौहर सफलता, बेबाकीपन, हाजिरजवाबी और बेधड़क बोलने के पर्याय बन चुके हैं, जिससे कभी-कभी न चाहते हुए भी विवाद खड़ा हो जाता है और सुर्खियाँ बन जाती हैं। केजो, जिस नाम से वे मशहूर हैं, एक चहेते बॉलीवुड फिल्म निर्देशक, निर्माता और एक्टर होने के साथ ही नई प्रतिभा की खोज के लिए जाने जाते हैं। अपनी मशहूर कंपनी धर्मा प्रोडक्शंस के जरिए, उन्होंने लगातार नए मानक बनाए और फिर से लिखे गए नियमों को चुनौती दी, और अपने ही ट्रेंड तय किए। लेकिन हम जिस हस्ती को जानते हैं, उसे प्रेरित करनेवाला कौन है?
पहली बार अपनी आत्मकथा में सबकुछ खुलकर कह देनेवाले, केजो अपने बचपन की यादों को ताजा करते हैं, अपनी सिंधी माँ और पंजाबी पिता का प्रभाव, बॉलीवुड को लेकर उनके अंदर का जुनून, फिल्मों में उनका आना, आदित्य चोपड़ा, शाहरुख खान और काजोल के साथ उनकी दोस्ती, उनकी लव-लाइफ, ए.आई.बी. रोस्ट, और भी बहुत कुछ...। अपने चिरपरिचित बेबाक अंदाज में वह भारतीय सिनेमा की पल-पल बदलती तसवीर, चुनौतियों और सबक, तथा दोस्ती के साथ ही इंडस्ट्री में प्रतिद्वंद्विता के बारे में बात करते हैं।
अनुक्रम
प्रस्तावना—5
1. बचपन—13
2. स्कूल और कॉलेज—25
3. पहला ब्रेक : ‘दिलवाले दुलहनिया ले जाएँगे’—43
4. कुछ कुछ होता है—61
5. फिल्म निर्माण का शुरुआती दौर—74
6. मेरे पिता का देहांत—88
7. धर्मा का अधिग्रहण—99
8. धर्मा का सुदृढीकरण—112
9. धर्मा का कर्म-निर्धारण—131
10. शाहरुख खान—141
11. दोस्त और अनबन—150
12. प्रेम और सेस—160
13. कॉफी और रोस्ट—170
14. मध्यवय की घबराहट—180
15. आज का बॉलीवुड—185
उपसंहार—195
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2017
572 people are currently reading
4217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 620 reviews
February 26, 2017
"If I fall madly in love, then I might be capable of becoming like a doormat."
As soon you tread on the first page of this book, this book will take you in the air and only at the finishing of it you will realize that you are back on land.
I don't care what others PRETEND to hate or dislike this person. Because I love all of his movies and I can watch them over and again.
The honestly that is flowing as stream of words goes, it touched my heart.
I also liked the way he has chosen the topic of depression and with several examples like 'Sad side of Ranveer Singh and the sadness that driving him', or Deepika Padukone's depression.
In fact 1st part of the book was quite giving the nostalgia where Karan is describing life about his school days.
Warning: Read only if you like his movies and him. Otherwise there is not much for you.
As soon you tread on the first page of this book, this book will take you in the air and only at the finishing of it you will realize that you are back on land.
I don't care what others PRETEND to hate or dislike this person. Because I love all of his movies and I can watch them over and again.
The honestly that is flowing as stream of words goes, it touched my heart.
I also liked the way he has chosen the topic of depression and with several examples like 'Sad side of Ranveer Singh and the sadness that driving him', or Deepika Padukone's depression.
In fact 1st part of the book was quite giving the nostalgia where Karan is describing life about his school days.
Warning: Read only if you like his movies and him. Otherwise there is not much for you.
December 8, 2025
3.5 This is a quick, breezy read for anyone interested in the life and thoughts of the iconic Bollywood director. He is remarkably candid and possesses more depth than people might anticipate, if you only know him through his chat show. Sadly, that trademark humor of his is mostly missing from the book, and there is really nothing remarkable about his prose style. Oddly, in the first paragraph, he says he will NOT speak about his sexuality ... and then later in the book has an entire chapter on it, in which he never actually STATES he's gay (due to precaution over India's Section 377), but gives enough clues you can read between the lines.
There's a lot of repetition, and he'll reiterate a point he made 40 pages earlier a LOT (apparently he dictated this to his ghost writer ... and it shows). He ends the book musing over the possibility of having children (by surrogacy) so he won't be alone in his old age, which has come to pass since he finished writing. My other qualm is that he misjudges his audience - not ALL of us know Hindi, and he reverts to that language frequently, which necessitates skipping over that part or consulting Google Translator. :-( (PS His films through Dharma Productions never subtitle the songs either, which drives me CRAZY - if you're reading this KJo, FIX THAT!!!) Also, minor correction...he confuses the film 'Out of Africa' with 'The End of the Affair'. Tsk! But it's nice to get his take on his films, and his relationships (and feuds) with all the stars.
There's a lot of repetition, and he'll reiterate a point he made 40 pages earlier a LOT (apparently he dictated this to his ghost writer ... and it shows). He ends the book musing over the possibility of having children (by surrogacy) so he won't be alone in his old age, which has come to pass since he finished writing. My other qualm is that he misjudges his audience - not ALL of us know Hindi, and he reverts to that language frequently, which necessitates skipping over that part or consulting Google Translator. :-( (PS His films through Dharma Productions never subtitle the songs either, which drives me CRAZY - if you're reading this KJo, FIX THAT!!!) Also, minor correction...he confuses the film 'Out of Africa' with 'The End of the Affair'. Tsk! But it's nice to get his take on his films, and his relationships (and feuds) with all the stars.
January 18, 2022
An unsuitable book.🤮 A mistake of my youth to pick this up. 😑 Thankfully, I've grown in my choices since then. (I think!)
December 14, 2019
An Unsuitable Boy is a story of Bollywood director and owner of Dharma Production Karan Johar. Son of Yash and Hiroo, he felt lonely as a single child. Due to his weight and introvert character in childhood, he had difficulty making friends. He was a regular South Bombay lad who felt distressed if someone tittle-tattles in Hindi.
He shares his love for movies and music which comes from his parents. His childhood memories and how he makes friends help us to know the real Karan Johar. The bond between Shahrukh Khan and him is well known, but in the beginning, Karan didn't like him. With time and respect, their relationship develops. Karan bluntly talks about how he felt when someone asks him about his sexual preferences and Shahrukh. Karan has known everyone in the industry, but he has a handful of friends he counts on.
Now in the forties, he pays visits to a psychologist to deal with anxiety. He took trips to London and Newyork often so he can work on the stories. His life is not full of difficulties, but I felt a new sense of knowing him after reading the book. We only know what the media feed us, but reality sometimes differs. I like how he discusses his friends, feelings, newcomers, the people who he dislikes, and the critics who constantly scrutinize his commercial movies.
I don't like the repetitiveness at all. It kills the mood to read further. Apart from that, this book is a fun light read. If you adore Dharma production movies or never miss an episode of Koffee with Karan, pick this book. On a very earnest note, you'll not discover something remarkable or life-modifying stuff. So don't get your expectations high. Read it if you want to get out of a reading slump, otherwise, leave it.
Read more here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
He shares his love for movies and music which comes from his parents. His childhood memories and how he makes friends help us to know the real Karan Johar. The bond between Shahrukh Khan and him is well known, but in the beginning, Karan didn't like him. With time and respect, their relationship develops. Karan bluntly talks about how he felt when someone asks him about his sexual preferences and Shahrukh. Karan has known everyone in the industry, but he has a handful of friends he counts on.
Now in the forties, he pays visits to a psychologist to deal with anxiety. He took trips to London and Newyork often so he can work on the stories. His life is not full of difficulties, but I felt a new sense of knowing him after reading the book. We only know what the media feed us, but reality sometimes differs. I like how he discusses his friends, feelings, newcomers, the people who he dislikes, and the critics who constantly scrutinize his commercial movies.
I don't like the repetitiveness at all. It kills the mood to read further. Apart from that, this book is a fun light read. If you adore Dharma production movies or never miss an episode of Koffee with Karan, pick this book. On a very earnest note, you'll not discover something remarkable or life-modifying stuff. So don't get your expectations high. Read it if you want to get out of a reading slump, otherwise, leave it.
Read more here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
February 25, 2017
Also, An Unsuitable Writer.
May 31, 2021
2.5 Stars
Karan Johar's primary and only passion is filmmaking. Felt lonely as a child; was not good at anything in particular during his school time. Started participating in various competitions such as elocution, debates and drama. Because of Aditya Chopra started taking interest in movie making and decided to assist him on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; later directed his first film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which was a blockbuster.
Wrote Kal Ho Naa Ho which was directed by Nikhil Advani which he regrets till date. His father Yash Johar passed away due to cancer and being the only child he took over Dharma Productions. In order to sustain a career especially in the film industry, it is better to stay relevant with the youth, which is what he tries to do with his films. Had a fallout with Shah Rukh Khan for three years, eventually started talking with him at Piku's success party, because Karan went on record saying that he would only work with SRK but then went on to cast other actors.
With Kajol too had a rift over her husband Ajay Devgan and his films. In his opinion, he doesn't get much credit for the work he does and is not taken seriously by the industry because of the many things he does and he did which no other director have. He is not insecure of his professional life but of his personal life. Also seeked a psychologist for issues in his personal life including anxiety and sadness. Death doesn't scare him, life sometimes does.
A good account but could have been better in terms of the narrative and writing.
Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Karan Johar's primary and only passion is filmmaking. Felt lonely as a child; was not good at anything in particular during his school time. Started participating in various competitions such as elocution, debates and drama. Because of Aditya Chopra started taking interest in movie making and decided to assist him on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; later directed his first film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which was a blockbuster.
Wrote Kal Ho Naa Ho which was directed by Nikhil Advani which he regrets till date. His father Yash Johar passed away due to cancer and being the only child he took over Dharma Productions. In order to sustain a career especially in the film industry, it is better to stay relevant with the youth, which is what he tries to do with his films. Had a fallout with Shah Rukh Khan for three years, eventually started talking with him at Piku's success party, because Karan went on record saying that he would only work with SRK but then went on to cast other actors.
With Kajol too had a rift over her husband Ajay Devgan and his films. In his opinion, he doesn't get much credit for the work he does and is not taken seriously by the industry because of the many things he does and he did which no other director have. He is not insecure of his professional life but of his personal life. Also seeked a psychologist for issues in his personal life including anxiety and sadness. Death doesn't scare him, life sometimes does.
A good account but could have been better in terms of the narrative and writing.
Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
January 5, 2023
Week 3 Book 3
An Unsuitable Boy by Karan Johar
Rating: 3/5
Karan is candid, comfortable and smooth in his narration. sometimes he does ramble on, like in his chapter about Shahrukh, or towards the end. sometimes he is apologetic or defensive, sometimes self-deprecating, but mostly he is honest. It was interesting to know about how the industry functions and fun to know some inside stories.. but I was disappointed - he didn't delve into the really juicy bits, nor did he clarify his sexual orientation. but that's ok, after all, it's his personal life, his choice.
An Unsuitable Boy by Karan Johar
Rating: 3/5
Karan is candid, comfortable and smooth in his narration. sometimes he does ramble on, like in his chapter about Shahrukh, or towards the end. sometimes he is apologetic or defensive, sometimes self-deprecating, but mostly he is honest. It was interesting to know about how the industry functions and fun to know some inside stories.. but I was disappointed - he didn't delve into the really juicy bits, nor did he clarify his sexual orientation. but that's ok, after all, it's his personal life, his choice.
February 12, 2017
I wouldn't have bought it and read it if it hadn't been on the Amazon Kindle Store for really cheap (Rs. 39).
As with one of his movies, this book's tag line can be 'it's all about loving Karan Johar!' He is open, honest and doesn't give a damn about what others think of him. And it is this openness that makes this book work. Chronologically this book has a few glaring mistakes (I seem to remember timelines of Hindi movies better than him).
As with one of his movies, this book's tag line can be 'it's all about loving Karan Johar!' He is open, honest and doesn't give a damn about what others think of him. And it is this openness that makes this book work. Chronologically this book has a few glaring mistakes (I seem to remember timelines of Hindi movies better than him).
June 15, 2017
The best thing about the author is the way he has written it so honestly. There were lots of things which were very interesting. His school days and the way he runs away from school and his father's affection towards him. His mental frame of mind when his father gets diagnosed with cancer. His relations with Shahrukh and his family. His first work profile as a costume designer. His relations with various people in the industry and going through the ups and downs of life. His beginning with the films like DDLJ, and directing his starter films such Kuch Kuch Hota Hei and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum. His ability to write good speeches and when Shahrukh was in tears when he read the speech for Kuch Kuch Hota Hei, he remembered his own mother. The comparison between today's generation of actors and the previous ones. There are much more things to say, but that would act as a spoiler.
Overall, an interesting way of expressing things in his life. While reading, you do not like to leave the book in between and want to finish it till the end.
Overall, an interesting way of expressing things in his life. While reading, you do not like to leave the book in between and want to finish it till the end.
February 10, 2017
This is one book in a long long time that I finished in less than 12 hours- I picked it up and just couldn't put it down!
"An Unsuitable Boy" is Karan Johar unabashed, unadulterated and unedited! If you have watched lots of "Koffee with Karan" episodes, you can actually read the book in his own voice- it feels as if he is sitting just in front of you rambling, bitching, dissing and appreciating.
With an innocent, no-nonsense narration, Karan Johar bares his heart out in this memoir- his initial struggles with weight, low self esteem and being effeminate, his emotional equations with an aging father & a strict mother and so on. Then there is an entire chapter on 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' which is an admirable account of how a young boy with an experience of just one movie (he was the assistant director of DDLJ) came, saw and conquered. In this book Karan has been extremely open and candid about everything- his vanities, struggles, vulnerabilities, anxiety issues, fallout with Kajol, his relation with Shah Rukh and Aditya Chopra and in my opinion he couldn't be any more honest and profound.
The chapters where he puts down his struggles and vulnerabilities of consolidating Dharma Productions (having no sense of business whatsoever) are not only gripping but also motivating.
The book has its own share of vanity, flamboyance and elitism and Karan never tries to hide it. Neither he tries to be politically correct while saying "Screw you" to all his twitter trolls.
The book might seem a bit dragging when he discusses his friendships but then it looks justifies given the fact that how emotionally attached he is with his friends. At the end he even reveals that he is thinking of having a child just because of a selfish reason that he wants someone to take care of him when he gets old!
All in all, this is a candid, gripping and honest memoir- something that has come straight from Karan's heart and deserves a read for sure.
Buy a copy from Amazon here- http://amzn.to/2kawOEH
For more reviews, follow my blog- https://thebooktrack.wordpress.com/
"An Unsuitable Boy" is Karan Johar unabashed, unadulterated and unedited! If you have watched lots of "Koffee with Karan" episodes, you can actually read the book in his own voice- it feels as if he is sitting just in front of you rambling, bitching, dissing and appreciating.
With an innocent, no-nonsense narration, Karan Johar bares his heart out in this memoir- his initial struggles with weight, low self esteem and being effeminate, his emotional equations with an aging father & a strict mother and so on. Then there is an entire chapter on 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' which is an admirable account of how a young boy with an experience of just one movie (he was the assistant director of DDLJ) came, saw and conquered. In this book Karan has been extremely open and candid about everything- his vanities, struggles, vulnerabilities, anxiety issues, fallout with Kajol, his relation with Shah Rukh and Aditya Chopra and in my opinion he couldn't be any more honest and profound.
The chapters where he puts down his struggles and vulnerabilities of consolidating Dharma Productions (having no sense of business whatsoever) are not only gripping but also motivating.
The book has its own share of vanity, flamboyance and elitism and Karan never tries to hide it. Neither he tries to be politically correct while saying "Screw you" to all his twitter trolls.
The book might seem a bit dragging when he discusses his friendships but then it looks justifies given the fact that how emotionally attached he is with his friends. At the end he even reveals that he is thinking of having a child just because of a selfish reason that he wants someone to take care of him when he gets old!
All in all, this is a candid, gripping and honest memoir- something that has come straight from Karan's heart and deserves a read for sure.
Buy a copy from Amazon here- http://amzn.to/2kawOEH
For more reviews, follow my blog- https://thebooktrack.wordpress.com/
August 26, 2019
My colleague asked me "Why are reading this Gay's book?" Unfortunately there are many people who are like this and my colleague is no different. Yeah I know he is homophobic and an Idiot but unfortunately that shouldn't be criteria to ever pick a work whether it's music, movies or books. Now coming to the book this is a no-hold bars, no nonsense, unapologetic and honest way Karan Johar one of the most successful movie makers in Bollywood today. I loved this book and one extra star is to combat all those biased idiots like my colleague who will just mark this down because Karan is Gay well if he is even then it's none of your business. In fact if you believe him he is almost Asexual. Well again his sexuality has no bearing on what he does and what he does is I love sometimes and sometimes I completely ignored as I am doing to most of the Bollywood stuff but coming to the book this is wonderful in it's honesty and narration.
Like always I rate books on the basis of how much fun they were and how they made me feel. This was lot of fun and if my schedule would be any less hectic I would also have finished it in one or two sittings. Do pick this if you like Karan or no maybe you will end up learning a thing or two. So till then next time you know what to do just Keep on Reading.
Like always I rate books on the basis of how much fun they were and how they made me feel. This was lot of fun and if my schedule would be any less hectic I would also have finished it in one or two sittings. Do pick this if you like Karan or no maybe you will end up learning a thing or two. So till then next time you know what to do just Keep on Reading.
April 21, 2018
Rather dull and uninteresting. Disclaimer: I'm not much of a Bollywood guy and know next to nothing about the films mentioned. Rated three stars for Karan's spirit and attitude to life - refreshingly eccentric/open-minded/un-self conscious in a stuck-up industry and country. His movies maybe crap, but he's hard to hate. This book has nothing in store for you if you aren't ardent in your fascination for bollywood or its stars or KJo himself.
October 24, 2019
You're telling me, with Karan Johar's money and stature, he could only afford a writer who makes him sound like a whiney, poor little rich kid?
November 6, 2017
Reading this book I learned more about Karan's younger years, the turning points of his life, everything that was going on in his mind when he was making his classic movies, Koffee With Karan and all the new stuff he produces for Dharma. It was fascinating, and it really did give me a new appreciation of the films. He even has some of the same criticisms of his own movies as I do. I loved hearing about the workings of the industry.
Karan is really open about his personal life, which I thought was very surprising given that he is still very much active and prominent in the industry. He isn't a retired guy looking back on his life which was exciting 40 years ago and most of the people he's talking about are dead. He is still THE Karan Johar, and probably at the top of his game, professionally speaking. The only thing he does not do is talk about other people's lives. So you won't get dirt on Ajay Devgan or Priyanka Chopra or learn some naughty secret of Kareena Kapoor.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book and I think this is essential (and fun!) reading for any die-hard Bollywood fan.
Karan is really open about his personal life, which I thought was very surprising given that he is still very much active and prominent in the industry. He isn't a retired guy looking back on his life which was exciting 40 years ago and most of the people he's talking about are dead. He is still THE Karan Johar, and probably at the top of his game, professionally speaking. The only thing he does not do is talk about other people's lives. So you won't get dirt on Ajay Devgan or Priyanka Chopra or learn some naughty secret of Kareena Kapoor.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book and I think this is essential (and fun!) reading for any die-hard Bollywood fan.
March 30, 2017
একজন ডিরেক্টর হিসেবে, এবং আর দশটা সাধারন মানুষ হিসেবে তাকে খারাপ লাগার কোনও কারন ছিল না আমার। না আমি তার ব্যপক ফ্যান, না তার ফলোয়ার। শুধু কিছু ভালো মুভি আর কয়েকজন অভিনেতা/নেত্রীদের হাইলাইট করেই সে আমার কাছে প্রাধান্য পেয়েছে বেশি। আমার আত্মজীবনী খুব একটা ভালো লাগে না। অন্যের জীবনে কি হলো না হলো তা জানার ইচ্ছে আমার কখনও হয় না বলেই হয়তো। তবে কিছু কিছু জিনিস যে বোঝার আর জানার থেকেই যায় কারো না কারো জীবন থেকে। সে হিসেবে বইটা ভালো লেগেছে। বিশেষ ভাবে কারনের ছেলেবেলা, শৈশবই আমাকে বেশি ভাবিয়েছে। কিছু জায়গায় তো ভালো সাহসের পরিচয় পেয়েছি।
রাফসান ভ্রাতাকে ধন্যবাদ বইটার জন্য।
রাফসান ভ্রাতাকে ধন্যবাদ বইটার জন্য।
March 15, 2017
An average work. It starts well but then it soon becomes the diary of a high society bitch as he tends to rant about everything... It's a one time read. Would rather advise you to rent the book from a library. Not worth spending so much money the way I did in buying the book.
June 8, 2020
I didn't have high expectations, so it was a smooth read. I loved to read about how films that I grew up watching like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna were made. However, I didn't like how narcissistic he is in the book (also in real life).
January 4, 2019
Liked: Karan makes honest confessions about his weight, how it affected his self-esteem, made his teenage years miserable, repressed him sexually. We love to say, weight is nothing, love your body, it's the inside that counts. But the scars of weighty issues (or body image), won't disappear by mouthing ideologies. Interlinked with this is an unhealthy relationship with food, something I've had for long. The way it eventually ruins you and you can do nothing because you're so dependent.
Kudos to this talented filmmaker for opening up about his fears, struggles, trying to come to terms with his sexuality. How he lived through being called a pansy, effeminate. This was saddest, someone not allowed to be themselves, ridiculed on something as fluid as gender. Even the title, his anguish at being seen as an unsuitable boy, it's painful. Imagine having to hide your life, be apologetic.
I enjoyed reading about processes of filmmaking, of ideas that went into beloved movies, behind the scenes. It even lent me a sort of confidence, that all successes, achievements, they come from a place of insecurity, anxiety, unsureness. No one actually knows what will work, what will not. We are experimenting, we are creating and doing things that fill us with a spark. And that is enough.
It was also fun reading about Karan's relationships and friendships, passions.
The bad: The style is terrible, it's one of the least well-written things I've read lately. It's flat, even the emotional sections are carelessly penned, like a hurriedly attended exam. And it's gratingly repetitive. The same thing repeated in 50 different sentence structures. Also annoyingly contradictory. In one page he says he watched movies, next he says he never watched any, again he says movies are in his DNA. Which one, you want to shake him, do you actually mean?
It's extremely narcissistic, but that's to be expected. It also casually masks sexist tendencies, nepotism (ahem), double standards. All human nature, grey, still discomforting.
Read if you like movies, gossip, success stories.
Kudos to this talented filmmaker for opening up about his fears, struggles, trying to come to terms with his sexuality. How he lived through being called a pansy, effeminate. This was saddest, someone not allowed to be themselves, ridiculed on something as fluid as gender. Even the title, his anguish at being seen as an unsuitable boy, it's painful. Imagine having to hide your life, be apologetic.
I enjoyed reading about processes of filmmaking, of ideas that went into beloved movies, behind the scenes. It even lent me a sort of confidence, that all successes, achievements, they come from a place of insecurity, anxiety, unsureness. No one actually knows what will work, what will not. We are experimenting, we are creating and doing things that fill us with a spark. And that is enough.
It was also fun reading about Karan's relationships and friendships, passions.
The bad: The style is terrible, it's one of the least well-written things I've read lately. It's flat, even the emotional sections are carelessly penned, like a hurriedly attended exam. And it's gratingly repetitive. The same thing repeated in 50 different sentence structures. Also annoyingly contradictory. In one page he says he watched movies, next he says he never watched any, again he says movies are in his DNA. Which one, you want to shake him, do you actually mean?
It's extremely narcissistic, but that's to be expected. It also casually masks sexist tendencies, nepotism (ahem), double standards. All human nature, grey, still discomforting.
Read if you like movies, gossip, success stories.
February 21, 2017
Karan Johar opens up about his family, his films, his showbiz career, his friends, his working style in this breezy read that's clearly volume one of his life story.
Disarmingly candid about his own frailties, he starts from how obesity wore him down as a kid and bouts of depression affected him as an adult. I particularly loved the parts where he talks about his search for "what am I good at" in school and finally came up with the answer (a refreshingly non-filmi one).
Peppered with anecdotes, this could even work as a self help book for some. He wears his emotions - especially envy - on his sleeve and comes across as a real person, insecure at times but ambitious, never bitter. The story of the K3G's release in the wake of Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan is simultaneously filmy and real!
One crib about the book is the relatively less importance given to his films and their making. His stint as an AD (and actor) on DDLJ is described in loving detail but the zips through his directorial venture. Karan Johar is an exceptional TV host, MC, friend, agony uncle etc but his position among the biggies of Bollywood can only come as a director/producer. Maybe the next volume of his memoirs will delve into his films and turn the four stars into five. And yes, he wants those stars quite badly!
Disarmingly candid about his own frailties, he starts from how obesity wore him down as a kid and bouts of depression affected him as an adult. I particularly loved the parts where he talks about his search for "what am I good at" in school and finally came up with the answer (a refreshingly non-filmi one).
Peppered with anecdotes, this could even work as a self help book for some. He wears his emotions - especially envy - on his sleeve and comes across as a real person, insecure at times but ambitious, never bitter. The story of the K3G's release in the wake of Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan is simultaneously filmy and real!
One crib about the book is the relatively less importance given to his films and their making. His stint as an AD (and actor) on DDLJ is described in loving detail but the zips through his directorial venture. Karan Johar is an exceptional TV host, MC, friend, agony uncle etc but his position among the biggies of Bollywood can only come as a director/producer. Maybe the next volume of his memoirs will delve into his films and turn the four stars into five. And yes, he wants those stars quite badly!
May 22, 2017
God. What a beautiful fucking book.
I've never read a better autobiography than this one. It's the most perfect book in this genre that I have read til now.
It was so touching, so beautiful, so heartbreaing. It drove me to tears a countless number of times.
It is so raw. It seems that there was no editing, no filtering. Karan was being completely and unapologetically himself. He didn't care how others would perceive him. He just wrote whatever came to his mind.
He is such a beautiful person and he showed so many other people in such a beautiful light. He's an amazing human being and I hate the amount of hate and prejudice he has to face. I feel very protective towards him. And that has been even before I picked this book up. I always used to defend him and after this book, I'm glad I always did.
He deserves all the happiness in the world. I hope he finds everything that he's looking for. He's a beautiful beautiful person who's been through a lot of shit and I'm so fucking happy that he's reached this stage in his life. There is not a single person in India who doesn't know his name and I feel that it's very much well deserved.
I love this man to death and I would recommend this book to all his haters first. They need to see just what they're hating. Maybe the assholes would change their minds.
More power to KJ.
I've never read a better autobiography than this one. It's the most perfect book in this genre that I have read til now.
It was so touching, so beautiful, so heartbreaing. It drove me to tears a countless number of times.
It is so raw. It seems that there was no editing, no filtering. Karan was being completely and unapologetically himself. He didn't care how others would perceive him. He just wrote whatever came to his mind.
He is such a beautiful person and he showed so many other people in such a beautiful light. He's an amazing human being and I hate the amount of hate and prejudice he has to face. I feel very protective towards him. And that has been even before I picked this book up. I always used to defend him and after this book, I'm glad I always did.
He deserves all the happiness in the world. I hope he finds everything that he's looking for. He's a beautiful beautiful person who's been through a lot of shit and I'm so fucking happy that he's reached this stage in his life. There is not a single person in India who doesn't know his name and I feel that it's very much well deserved.
I love this man to death and I would recommend this book to all his haters first. They need to see just what they're hating. Maybe the assholes would change their minds.
More power to KJ.
February 7, 2017
Karan Johar is a man of quite a few indulgences. The image precedes his name and he lives upto it. Almost unabashedly. Thankfully, he isn't living in any denial here and there has been no conscious effort on his part to change this image. Karan Johar bares his soul in an honest and for the lack of better word, an innocent narration. He lays out his struggles, vulnerabilities, vanities, failures and success without any theatrics or drama; a huge deviation from his usual story telling ways in cinema.
The book also works because this doesn't overstay it's welcome. A known conversationalist, he doesn't try to redeem himself against numerous allegations and criticisms he has had to face over the years. Thankfully, he isn't seeking any vindication or approval either. The book just engages you in what feels like an honest conversation.
Though his movies remain largely polarising, Karan Johar possesses a sharp business accumen. He has definitely evolved as a business-person, if not as a person. His life is not irreproachable, but now he gives a vibe of a mature person who is very calm and secure in his zone. You need to peel out the layers to find out the confused and almost distressed soul behind that calm demeanour. The book does exactly that. It peels out the layers.
The book also works because this doesn't overstay it's welcome. A known conversationalist, he doesn't try to redeem himself against numerous allegations and criticisms he has had to face over the years. Thankfully, he isn't seeking any vindication or approval either. The book just engages you in what feels like an honest conversation.
Though his movies remain largely polarising, Karan Johar possesses a sharp business accumen. He has definitely evolved as a business-person, if not as a person. His life is not irreproachable, but now he gives a vibe of a mature person who is very calm and secure in his zone. You need to peel out the layers to find out the confused and almost distressed soul behind that calm demeanour. The book does exactly that. It peels out the layers.
February 25, 2017
Not a big fan of KJo and his films (have watched 2-3 of his films, even haven't watched 'My Name is Khan' and 'Student of the Year'). I just wanted to read about how Indian cinema developed during last 2 decades and I think KJo is the right person to narrate that for you.
The book is written honestly and interesting to read except for last 50 pages, which could have easily been edited to avoid repetition. It repeats same things for SRK and KJo's other friends.
I also wanted to know how KJo calls himself half Sindhi from mother side, when as per news reports and wikipedia pages, Hiroo Johar is sister of Yash and B R Chopra (Chopras can't be Sindhi for sure). This book tells that Hiroo Johar has no siblings and she belongs to a conservative Sindhi family. KJos talks about Sindhi cuisine (Sai bhaji), which is surprisingly not known to us here in Sindh. Sai bhaji for us is simple green vegetables like spinach, etc but for Sindhi Hindus in India its a typical Sindhi dish.
Overall a good read containing some interesting and informative bits and pieces.
The book is written honestly and interesting to read except for last 50 pages, which could have easily been edited to avoid repetition. It repeats same things for SRK and KJo's other friends.
I also wanted to know how KJo calls himself half Sindhi from mother side, when as per news reports and wikipedia pages, Hiroo Johar is sister of Yash and B R Chopra (Chopras can't be Sindhi for sure). This book tells that Hiroo Johar has no siblings and she belongs to a conservative Sindhi family. KJos talks about Sindhi cuisine (Sai bhaji), which is surprisingly not known to us here in Sindh. Sai bhaji for us is simple green vegetables like spinach, etc but for Sindhi Hindus in India its a typical Sindhi dish.
Overall a good read containing some interesting and informative bits and pieces.
March 10, 2017
What do I say about this book? Karan Johar is everywhere, whether it is TV or Silver Screen or social media. So how does a person who mostly manages to write pretty engaging columns and give fantastic sound bites come out with a whiny book? Because that is what this is, a whiny-self indulgent books where he tries to give his side of views about many things like his fallout with Kajol, the completely miscast Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna , conjectures about his relationship with SRK and sundry other things. And most chapters end up like a boring episode of Koffee with Karan.
There are only two chapters in which some bits of what might be the real Karan Johar comes out, that is when he talks about his love life and his mid life crisis. Those I felt were the most honest bits of the book.
If you looking at gleaning insights into how Karan Johar became this big brand avoid the book. If you are looking for gossip, you won't get any. The good part is that it is a quick read.
There are only two chapters in which some bits of what might be the real Karan Johar comes out, that is when he talks about his love life and his mid life crisis. Those I felt were the most honest bits of the book.
If you looking at gleaning insights into how Karan Johar became this big brand avoid the book. If you are looking for gossip, you won't get any. The good part is that it is a quick read.
July 2, 2017
"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" is one of those movies which had a huge impact on me. I even cut my long hairs shorter like Kajol in the movie. I was such a fan of her character 'Anjali'. I was just 10 at that time but I was obsessed with the movie. And that's why I always liked Karan Johar. I liked the way he made this movie. Even if he is not an actor or handsome hunk ......there's a certain cheerfulness about him. I always read his interviews back then. I was Bollywood crazy in my school days. So I kind of liked reading about him.
It was nice to read about his childhood, his experiences, his fears. I specially liked reading about his childhood. I could totally relate to him. There were many lines in this book that I have highlighted. And I'm so happy that he could pursue a career were his interests are.
February 7, 2017
I rated the book 4/5. Actually 3 for the book and 1 for Karan. Because, and here it comes, I love him!
This book has all the usual suspects: bitchiness, flamboyance, tongue in cheek humour. What I wasn't ready for was the honesty. Shockingly candid and just real honest. Autobiographies tend to get technical and stretched. This one doesn't have strict timelines nor boring chronology of events. It felt like a extended version of KoffeeWithKaran except that this one is about Karan. The writing is so witty, funny and moving. I mean he's a Writer-Director all right. Yes, this man was lucky to be born into a filmy family. Yes he had it easy, not much real struggle. But man, at 44, he is a force to reckon. Love him, hate him. Can't deny him his stardom.
This book has all the usual suspects: bitchiness, flamboyance, tongue in cheek humour. What I wasn't ready for was the honesty. Shockingly candid and just real honest. Autobiographies tend to get technical and stretched. This one doesn't have strict timelines nor boring chronology of events. It felt like a extended version of KoffeeWithKaran except that this one is about Karan. The writing is so witty, funny and moving. I mean he's a Writer-Director all right. Yes, this man was lucky to be born into a filmy family. Yes he had it easy, not much real struggle. But man, at 44, he is a force to reckon. Love him, hate him. Can't deny him his stardom.
July 18, 2019
As you begin to read the book, the narration style improves page by page and you would begin to connect with the child Karan a lot and also empathize with him. The humble and innocent Karan stays with us until the death of his father. Post his father death, you would sense a rise in arrogance and over-smartness in his actions as well as the narration style.
A fairly well-written book. Honest, even while justifying his actions he cannot cover his shortcomings. It just gives away.
It was interesting to read and also to get a slight insight into how things work in the film industry - business and politics.
A fairly well-written book. Honest, even while justifying his actions he cannot cover his shortcomings. It just gives away.
It was interesting to read and also to get a slight insight into how things work in the film industry - business and politics.
February 17, 2017
A nice book! In his book, he has said many things about himself and in the process I think he has vent some frustration also. He has written deeply about his family, Dharma Productions, Shah Rukh Khan, and his movies. He has written too much about himself, which we at a point think it's enough! But he seems to be a genuine and a good person, one who pays a lot of respect to elders and relationships. It is just another biography and there is nothing suspenseful or digging up a secret kind of thing in his life that we need to know, but we can know in and out about this guy!
May 12, 2020
This book terribly needs an editor. How this was co-written with a senior journalist is beyond me.
Apart from that, it's one big fun read especially if you have even some fleeting idea about Bollywood with respect to the Karan Johar angle, the more glamorous part of the industry. And sometimes, he makes way too much sense than you'd associate with him. So maybe read this book just for that.
Apart from that, it's one big fun read especially if you have even some fleeting idea about Bollywood with respect to the Karan Johar angle, the more glamorous part of the industry. And sometimes, he makes way too much sense than you'd associate with him. So maybe read this book just for that.
March 4, 2019
So yesterday night I came home late and bought Karan Johar's book "An Unsuitable Boy" and started reading it. I am a film buff so I know a lot about him, but still I was apprehensive about what it would be about. To my surprise, I found it to be a great read.
To me, it feels right that now I know Karan Johar as my next door neighbour. The book is nicely written in a linear timeline and you won't have a problem finishing it at one reading.
One of the reasons I liked this book was because the stories that are written in the book are very familiar to me. I have grown up with those stories and I know all the people Karan knows, be it Shahrukh Khan or Kajol or Aditya Chopra, even Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Johar. They are all buddies of Karan but at times it appears like you were there too and they are your buddies as well.
I have grown up watching movies by Karan Johar and I always loved his films. Disclaimer - Not recent ones. I think the "K" letter fixture worked for him despite the supernatural tag attached with it. I believe that it was his strong belief and it worked because he started his film with a premise that if he starts his film with the letter "K" his films won't flop. The belief worked in his favour and all his films before "My name is Khan" were big hits in India but now he makes most of his money from the international market. I think he should go back to his belief of suffixing every title of his movie with "K". As a matter of fact, he stopped believing in the supernatural letter Fixation after watching RajKumar Hirani's Brilliant film "Munnabhai MBBS" which he thought was a great film despite its weird name. I want to say to him that if something works for someone else then it doesn't mean it would work for him as well. Everyone has their own sets of beliefs and the need to stick with it.
There were so many things that I believe he has assumed about life. Like about being was filthy rich and having a comfortable life. I don't think he has ever seen any poverty so to him he was a poor kid growing up in south Bombay whose father worked owned business as well as was a producer of Hindi films and knew every who's who of the industry. But it was not his mistake. He was a pampered child who was exceptionally talented and had access to good people around him. Well, he was rich but to his own standards, he was middle class, probably because he hadn't seen the middle class.
In the book, he talks about his love for Shahrukh Khan and Aditya Chopra. It really moved me. I was really emotional reading what he thinks about Aditya Chopra. He was a mentor cum friend for him who was always there for him. There was an interesting anecdote about Shahrukh Khan he shares, actually, there were many but here is the one that I liked most.
When Karan was getting underworld threats and was told he might be attacked on the night of his film's premiere, he decided not to come out and hid himself in a room. Shahrukh came and forcefully took him to the premiere. He told him that nothing would happen and he has to attend his first film's premiere. Though out the event, Shahrukh was in front of him to prove to him that if they shoot bullet it would first hit him. That, my friends, is Shahrukh Khan for you. There is a reason why Karan Johar values Shahrukh Khan so much. I am also a big Shahrukh Khan Fan so I can connect with him on that.
Karan I guess is a person who really wants people to be really close to him. it appears that he is very possessive about people he likes and expects the same from them. He is desperate to have closeness and rarely gets any because kind of closeness that he expects only comes from blood relations. Being the only child I believe he misses having an elder brother or a kid sister or cousins he could blindly trust. I can understand that because I don't have a sister. When I was a kid, I would see other kids playing with their sisters and at that time I really wanted a sister in my life and would be always angry on my parents for not giving me a sister. I compensated by making other girls my sister but it never worked. They never loved me the way I wanted to be loved. I was possessive about them and was ready to stand with them but they were not. I was always a friend to them whom they also called brother. Blood is blood and nothing can compensate that.
Karan desperately tries to fall in love with people and that's what makes him a most misunderstood person of the entire film industry. He is very vulnerable and I believe that people around him take that for lack of masculinity. He wants someone in his life who is just his and no one else's but no one is ready to live for him. That is why I believe he adopted two kids.
Whatever he wrote in the book has inspired me to make my own movie and has made my life really simple. If this guy has faced so many problems while making his own films, then I am very lucky that I don't have any problems.
The book I believe could have gone more in depth of other aspects of his life and at times appears superficial. There were already many stories about his life that we already know. He has also made sure that no one gets hurt while reading his book. Also at times, I am reading a book written by Shahrukh Khan's biggest fan.
But overall, it was a nice read. Since I wasn't expecting much so I believe that I got more than I expected from this book.
To me, it feels right that now I know Karan Johar as my next door neighbour. The book is nicely written in a linear timeline and you won't have a problem finishing it at one reading.
One of the reasons I liked this book was because the stories that are written in the book are very familiar to me. I have grown up with those stories and I know all the people Karan knows, be it Shahrukh Khan or Kajol or Aditya Chopra, even Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Johar. They are all buddies of Karan but at times it appears like you were there too and they are your buddies as well.
I have grown up watching movies by Karan Johar and I always loved his films. Disclaimer - Not recent ones. I think the "K" letter fixture worked for him despite the supernatural tag attached with it. I believe that it was his strong belief and it worked because he started his film with a premise that if he starts his film with the letter "K" his films won't flop. The belief worked in his favour and all his films before "My name is Khan" were big hits in India but now he makes most of his money from the international market. I think he should go back to his belief of suffixing every title of his movie with "K". As a matter of fact, he stopped believing in the supernatural letter Fixation after watching RajKumar Hirani's Brilliant film "Munnabhai MBBS" which he thought was a great film despite its weird name. I want to say to him that if something works for someone else then it doesn't mean it would work for him as well. Everyone has their own sets of beliefs and the need to stick with it.
There were so many things that I believe he has assumed about life. Like about being was filthy rich and having a comfortable life. I don't think he has ever seen any poverty so to him he was a poor kid growing up in south Bombay whose father worked owned business as well as was a producer of Hindi films and knew every who's who of the industry. But it was not his mistake. He was a pampered child who was exceptionally talented and had access to good people around him. Well, he was rich but to his own standards, he was middle class, probably because he hadn't seen the middle class.
In the book, he talks about his love for Shahrukh Khan and Aditya Chopra. It really moved me. I was really emotional reading what he thinks about Aditya Chopra. He was a mentor cum friend for him who was always there for him. There was an interesting anecdote about Shahrukh Khan he shares, actually, there were many but here is the one that I liked most.
When Karan was getting underworld threats and was told he might be attacked on the night of his film's premiere, he decided not to come out and hid himself in a room. Shahrukh came and forcefully took him to the premiere. He told him that nothing would happen and he has to attend his first film's premiere. Though out the event, Shahrukh was in front of him to prove to him that if they shoot bullet it would first hit him. That, my friends, is Shahrukh Khan for you. There is a reason why Karan Johar values Shahrukh Khan so much. I am also a big Shahrukh Khan Fan so I can connect with him on that.
Karan I guess is a person who really wants people to be really close to him. it appears that he is very possessive about people he likes and expects the same from them. He is desperate to have closeness and rarely gets any because kind of closeness that he expects only comes from blood relations. Being the only child I believe he misses having an elder brother or a kid sister or cousins he could blindly trust. I can understand that because I don't have a sister. When I was a kid, I would see other kids playing with their sisters and at that time I really wanted a sister in my life and would be always angry on my parents for not giving me a sister. I compensated by making other girls my sister but it never worked. They never loved me the way I wanted to be loved. I was possessive about them and was ready to stand with them but they were not. I was always a friend to them whom they also called brother. Blood is blood and nothing can compensate that.
Karan desperately tries to fall in love with people and that's what makes him a most misunderstood person of the entire film industry. He is very vulnerable and I believe that people around him take that for lack of masculinity. He wants someone in his life who is just his and no one else's but no one is ready to live for him. That is why I believe he adopted two kids.
Whatever he wrote in the book has inspired me to make my own movie and has made my life really simple. If this guy has faced so many problems while making his own films, then I am very lucky that I don't have any problems.
The book I believe could have gone more in depth of other aspects of his life and at times appears superficial. There were already many stories about his life that we already know. He has also made sure that no one gets hurt while reading his book. Also at times, I am reading a book written by Shahrukh Khan's biggest fan.
But overall, it was a nice read. Since I wasn't expecting much so I believe that I got more than I expected from this book.
February 13, 2017
this book is good in parts for me , where he writes about his initiation into film making and future of bollywood , some chapters where he writes about depression and all was too boring for me . the tone was too preachy and this book has a goody goody feel , overall can be read one time
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