I am very big on birthdays: Karan Johar

He has had a “hardworking” year but now, Karan Johar has flown to New York, USA, to ring in his 46th birthday today. The “workaholic” film-maker admits that after a short holiday, he will be set for the “Mumbai madness” all over again. “We are already thrilled [with Raazi’s success]. I’ve to eternally thank Meghna Gulzar for giving me and my company the biggest birthday gift that I could have ever asked for,” says Karan, as he talks about life, birthdays and more. We’ve heard that you are in New York to celebrate your birthday? I have had a very hardworking year, so I have given myself a short holiday for about 4-5 days. I thought it would be great to just go away for a few days to kind of shut off from everything. I have friends in New York so the idea is to spend time with them and have some ‘me time’ before coming back to the Mumbai madness in five days. Would you call yourself a birthday person? Absolutely! Not just my birthday, I love birthdays in general. I am very big on birthdays (laughs). Be it cakes, flowers or good wishes, I like the day to be full of happiness and love to share it with my loved ones. Many people don’t like birthdays and feel that’s there is a lot of fuss around it. But I really love all the fuss. I unapologetically and unabashedly love the concept of a birthday. It’s just one day in a year that should be about you. I turn 46 this year but my excitement level for a birthday remains the same. You seem to like big birthday bashes. So, why New York this year? Nothing of that sort [is happening this year]. I thought it would be best to get away. I think I will make this into a bit of a habit. It’s great to have some ‘me time’. Birthdays give you the opportunity to feel that you can do everything minus any guilt. Does having Roohi and Yash add to the feeling of being blessed? Absolutely! My kids are great. They are like a ray of sunshine in my life. Waking up to them and watching them sleep at night are the two big high points of my life every day. Alia Bhatt told us recently that she eats at least three pieces of cake on her birthday. Of course, that’s a given. On your birthday, the least you can do is break your dietary routine. All of that will happen and I am happy to report that I will be doing that in New York. Workwise, you have multiple production ventures coming up. Feeling overworked? I never feel overworked in a bad way; it’s always a good thing. I really enjoy the work I do. Some of us are blessed to be in professions that we thoroughly enjoy. I am a workaholic in a good way. So, to me, my office is my playground while my house brings me peace of mind. Now, my kids’ nursery is my entire life and this is the way I divide my life. I work seven days a week as there is no concept of a weekend in my life. Aren’t you missing direction?

I have locked a screenplay and I am going to direct a film around mid-next year. I look forward to casting for it as soon as I come back from New York.

Karan Johar