Performing with absolute aplomb: Karan Johar on Dharmendra-Shabana kiss scene in ‘Rocky Aur Rani’

Karan Johar’s latest directorial venture, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, featuring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh as the lead pair, has already emerged as a massive success. The movie has garnered significant attention, particularly due to an unexpected lip-lock scene between veteran actors Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi. This heavily-discussed moment became a hot topic on social media, leaving fans curious about the backstory behind it.

The story between the two actors revolves around Shabana Azmi’s character, who plays Dharmendra’s long-lost lover, reuniting with him after several years. Their lip-lock scene went viral on social media, sparking discussions among fans.

In a recent interview with the entertainment portal Film Companion, Karan Johar shed light on this much-talked-about moment, revealing that he didn’t face any resistance while discussing the scene with Dharmendra and Shabana.

Karan Johar said, “Two great veterans just performing with absolute aplomb, no questions asked. I needed it to be a pack. One of my all-time ‘favorites is Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’, and it had to be their song because that’s what she says in the dialogue about Mall Road walks, their re-run, their favorite song. And that became the thematic kind of connection of Rocky [Ranveer Singh] and Rani [Alia Bhatt] as well.”

Dharmendra speaks about kiss scene with Shabana Azmi in ‘Rocky Aur Rani’

Dharmendra, too, spoke about the kissing scene in an earlier interview with the news outlet News18. He expressed his happiness over the audience’s positive response, stating, “I am hearing that Shabana and I have surprised the audience with the kissing scene, and at the same time, they have even applauded it. I think people weren’t expecting it and it came very suddenly which is why it created an impact. The last time I did a kissing scene was in Life In A Metro with Nafisa Ali, and at that time too people had appreciated it.”

‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ is a romantic comedy produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios. Apart from Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, the film also features veteran actors Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi. Interestingly, Saif Ali Khan’s son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, contributed to the film’s production as an assistant director.

The film, which hit the box office on July 28, recorded an impressive opening collection of ₹11.10 crore.