To mom, with love: Karan

Karan Johar and Hiroo

It's Mother's Day tomorrow, and filmmaker Karan Johar, who has always been very close to his parents, Hiroo and the late Yash Johar, talks to us about the special woman in his life — his mom.

Describing mom

She is all heart, she's a great friend to everyone and oversensitive — but I love that about her.

She has a great sense of humour and is fun to be with. She's a group leader. Mom's everybody's agony aunt. Like my films, she has soul, humour and grandeur.

Her advice

She always taught me that if I am wrong, I should apologise, and that I must always fight for what is right. Saying sorry and thank you is something I have learnt from mom. She always tells me to keep my head screwed tight on my shoulders. She says I should always be humble, simple and down-to-earth.

Love is blind

When I was 15, she told me that I was so good-looking that I should be an actor or model. She loves me to insanity…when I was a kid, dad would tell her that her love is blind — she would always buy clothes four inches smaller than my size, as she thought I was much slimmer.

Mom's advice

I left for boarding school, but was back in four days, as I couldn't do without mom and dad. That's when mom told me that I should make myself stronger and make something of my life. After this, I became more assertive. I improved in my extra-curricular activities, like elocution, drama and debates.

The boarding school incident and my mom's advice transformed my life. Till then, I was fat and felt useless, but her advice, I felt I had to do something and be someone.

My best friend

Mom's been my friend since I was nine. I would chat with her and tell her everything.

She would always know exactly what was happening in my life — if I was angry, happy or hurt. She's someone I don't feel shy of expressing my emotions to – I have broken down and cried in front of her, and laugh with her too. And yet she knows when I need my space and leaves me alone.

Mom saw KKHH

It was at Dimple preview theatre, and dad, mom and I watched it together. After it was over, the three of us hugged each other, cried and wept. They were so proud. Mom said, 'I can't believe you made this'. She loves my films, but doesn't believe I can make them.

She feels very proud but is still in shock. The first day of shooting Kuch Kunch Hota Hai, she asked me with concern whether I knew where to put the camera — and I said yes.

My strength

I pretend I am supporting her, but her presence in my life is my biggest support. I can't do without her — emotionally or physically.

My biggest fan

She has watched all my films, but Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is her favourite. She loves everything I do. She is my biggest fan. She loved watching Koffee With Karan, and would watch all the shows. If someone tells her my interview is coming on, she will make it a point to watch it.

Thank you, Ekta!

Mom is happy to be home and spend time with her friends. I have to thank Ekta Kapoor and Shobha aunty for giving mom five hours of occupation.

Mom loves to watch all her serials. Ekta's given mom something to do. She loves Ekta, too.