Filmmaker Karan Johar recently revisited a dramatic behind-the-scenes moment from the sets of the iconic 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), recalling how a production mishap led to a fiery confrontation with legendary choreographer Saroj Khan. Speaking in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Karan admitted that the incident left him deeply shaken, describing himself as “traumatized” by her reaction and convinced that she never quite warmed to him.
At the time, Karan was serving as an assistant director to Aditya Chopra on the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer, which would go on to become one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema. The episode unfolded during the shoot of the vibrant wedding song “Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna,” a track that remains a staple at Indian celebrations even today.
According to Karan, the trouble began when the production team realized they had miscalculated a crucial costume prop. The choreography required background dancers to use red scarves as part of the sequence. However, there were more dancers on set than there were scarves available. With the shoot underway and time ticking, Karan attempted to improvise a quick solution to avoid delaying the schedule.
In an effort to cover up the shortage, he approached Jojo, Saroj Khan’s assistant, with what he believed was a clever workaround. “I, to save the situation, went to Jojo, Saroj ji’s assistant, and very cleverly said, ‘You know, Jojo, I think achha lagega (it will look good), unko bolo, apna ek haath pocket mein rakho (tell them to keep one hand in their pocket), stylish lagega, cool lagega (it will look cool, it will look stylish),’” Karan recalled. The idea was simple: if one hand stayed in the pocket, the missing scarf might go unnoticed. “Because I didn’t have any more cloth,” he admitted.
For a brief moment, it seemed like the workaround had solved the problem. But the illusion didn’t last long. Saroj Khan, known for her sharp eye and uncompromising standards, quickly sensed that something was amiss. When she discovered the real reason behind the altered choreography, her reaction was swift and intense.
Karan described the confrontation vividly. “She literally pushed me,” he said. “She said, ‘Tu jahaan jana chahe, ja, Goregaon ja, laal kapda la, warna main shoot nahi karungi’ (Go wherever you need to go, go to Goregaon, bring the red cloth, otherwise I will not shoot).” Her ultimatum left no room for negotiation.
What followed was a frantic dash through Goregaon in search of red fabric. “I still remember the visual of us running on the streets of Goregaon saying, ‘Laal kapda! Laal kapda!’ (Red cloth! Red cloth!),” Karan recalled. The urgency of the situation and Saroj Khan’s formidable presence left a lasting impression on him. “I was scared for my life. I was traumatized, traumatized, you know, and she was really scary,” he confessed.
Despite the fear he felt in that moment, Karan was quick to acknowledge Saroj Khan’s immense talent and stature. “Like, she was the best,” he said, recognizing her unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. However, he also candidly added that he believed she never quite liked him.
Saroj Khan, who passed away on July 3, 2020, at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest, remains one of Bollywood’s most revered choreographers. With a career spanning decades and countless iconic songs to her credit, she shaped the visual language of Hindi film dance. Karan Johar’s anecdote offers a glimpse into her uncompromising dedication to her craft — and a memorable lesson from the early days of a filmmaker who would go on to become one of the industry’s most influential voices.