Karan Johar On Father Yash Johar Selling K3G For $5,000 At Cannes

After 12 years, Karan Johar returns to the Cannes Film Festival with Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and executive produced by Martin Scorsese.

While Karan Johar may often receive mixed reactions for his directorial ventures, his diverse choices as a producer have earned him global recognition.

Source : IMDb

While Karan Johar may often receive mixed reactions for his directorial ventures, his diverse choices as a producer have earned him global recognition. The celebrated filmmaker is now making a grand return to the Cannes Film Festival after 12 years — this time, to represent his latest production, 'Homebound', directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. The film is set to premiere in the Un Certain Regard section on May 21 at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Speaking at an event on the French Riviera, Karan recalled an emotional memory from his first visit to Cannes with 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2002). Joined by 'Homebound' director Neeraj Ghaywan at the Bharat Pavilion, Karan spoke warmly of his father Yash Johar and the early days of taking Bollywood to global platforms.

Karan Johar on his Cannes memories

“I have a lot of emotional memories of Cannes. I remember it was 2002 when I came here with my father. He struck a deal and sold the European rights of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham for five thousand dollars,” Karan recalled.

“I thought it was too little and asked my father about it. He told me, ‘Look, we have to make a start somewhere.’ He wasn’t around to witness the cultural movement we later created with Bollywood films.”

Karan also reminisced about attending the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas the same year.

“Aishwarya and Shah Rukh were on the red carpet. Aishwarya is literally like the queen of Cannes. Every time we are here, Ash creates a huge amount of media energy and excitement.”

Karan returned to the international festival scene in 2013 with Bombay Talkies, a collaborative anthology alongside Anurag Kashyap and Zoya Akhtar. That same year, he watched The Lunchbox and was so moved by it that he chose to present the Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur-starrer in India.

Reflecting on his deep association with Cannes, Karan added: “I have so many memories attached. I haven’t been here for the last 12 years. Coming back to the Bharat Pavilion feels like going back 21 years. My father was here so many times—it feels like home.”

About Homebound

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The film has earned a prestigious spot in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. What makes it even more noteworthy is that it is executive produced by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, adding significant international credibility to the project.