Karan Johar Unpacks Success of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ Reveals ‘Apprehension, Fear and Deep-Rooted Anxiety’ About ‘Barbenheimer’

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Indian filmmaker and media personality Karan Johar’s “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is one of the few local films that has withstood the “Barbenheimer” juggernaut and emerged triumphant.

The film had a lot going for it. Johar is a hitmaker whose credits include “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998), “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…” (2001), “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006), “My Name is Khan” (2010) and “Student of the Year” (2012).

And, the cast is bursting with A-listers including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Produced by Johar’s Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” opened July 28 in the wake of the twin releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” After its second weekend of release, the film has grossed $25.6 million worldwide, including $15 million in India, and is going strong. “Oppenheimer” has grossed $16 million in India and “Barbie” $5.8 million. “The ‘Barbenheimer’ hype was real.

Both have been tremendously loved and appreciated and I was really nervous because we were coming in the midst of a storm. It’s been one of the biggest Hollywood weekends in I don’t know how long and both have performed exceedingly well,” Johar told Variety. “At first I had apprehension and fear and then there was deep rooted anxiety because both these films also performed very well in India.