When Karan Johar directed ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ , he made it a point to cast veteran actress Jaya Bachchan in a role completely different from what she had done before. As Dhanlakshmi Randhawa, the strict matriarch of a powerful family, Bachchan portrayed a cold, authoritarian figure. But, as Karan revealed in an interview with Mid-Day in the year 2023, she is nothing like that in real life. In fact, she was the most loved person on set. “My crew, if you ask them who is the favourite person on set, they would say Jaya Bachchan,” he said. From remembering every AD’s name to sending sweets and snacks for overworked staff, Jaya Bachchan, or “Aunty J” as he fondly calls her, was the heart of the set.
A Misunderstood Persona
Karan addressed the long-standing perception that Jaya Bachchan is unfriendly in public—an image shaped by viral videos showing her frustration with paparazzi. He clarified that what people often interpret as rudeness is simply her aversion to invasion of privacy. “She just has an aversion to invasion of her privacy, not paps,” he said, stressing that she is a calm, giving person who enjoys playful banter and camaraderie when she feels safe. “She is not Dhanlakshmi. Far from it,” he insisted. For Karan, casting her in a grey-shaded character was about breaking her usual on-screen image of the lovable mother or the innocent Guddi girl.
Casting with heart
The film also featured Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra in key roles. Karan said he chose Shabana for her grace and authenticity, and Dharmendra because of the pure warmth and romance he brings to the screen. But his comments about Jaya stood out. “Everyone who writes on Twitter, ‘Jayaji is playing herself,’ I’m like, no dude, you don’t know anything about Mrs. Jaya Bachchan,” he said. Karan Johar’s previous directorial outing was ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ which starred Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead. The movie received mixed reviews.
