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Karan Johar said that he would like to remake his 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and recalled how Salman Khan once gave him a lecture about the film at a London hotel.
Karan Johar Reveals Salman Khan Once ‘Fired’ Him Over Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: ‘Don’t Make That Film’
Koffee With Karan Season 9 finally premiered on JioHotstar tonight, with Salman Khan gracing the couch as the first guest. The premiere episode was every bit as entertaining as fans had hoped! From fun anecdotes and juicy revelations to a fun rapid-fire round, the episode had all the ingredients to keep viewers hooked. During the rapid-fire segment, Karan Johar was asked which of his films he would like to remake, and his answer might surprise fans! The filmmaker picked Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, his 2006 romantic drama starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta. However, what made his answer interesting was his memory of Salman Khan’s reaction to the film.
Karan recalled an interaction with Salman in the lobby of a hotel in London, where the superstar apparently gave him a lecture about making the film. Here’s what the filmmaker shared.
What Did Salman Khan Tell Karan About Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna?
When Karisma Kapoor asked KJo which film from his filmography he would like to remake, Karan instantly named Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. The film explored infidelity, complicated relationships and marital dissatisfaction, making it an unconventional Bollywood romance film at the time.
Recalling Salman’s reaction to the film, Karan said, “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. And I got a lecture from Salman about Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. In the lobby of a hotel in London. He fired me about making that film.”
Salman, meanwhile, explained that he felt Karan should change a few things about the film, but eventually cut his thought short and bluntly added, “Don’t make that film.”
About Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Released in 2006, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna starred Shah Rukh Khan as Dev and Rani Mukerji as Maya, two unhappy married people who develop feelings for each other. The film also starred Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan.
Its portrayal of infidelity and troubled marriages sparked considerable discussion when it was released. Even years later, the film remains one of Karan’s more debated works, making his choice to revisit it an interesting one.
When Karan Johar Admitted The Film Had Flaws
In August 2026, as Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna completed 20 years, Karan Johar recalled how the film was called ‘anti-sanskaari’ and received polarising reviews. He admitted there were some flaws in the film, but said its heart was in the right place.
“I don’t deny the flaws of the film… It was over bloated in scale and had opulent (and some unnecessary) songs to pander to my understanding of the mainstream, but I always felt it had its heart in the right place. I knew it was touching a raw nerve, a fact of life we as a society like to brush under our value based carpets… a reality we don’t want thrown at us by our beloved movie stars and icons. The film did not endorse infidelity (that was never ever my intention) but it did show that stepping out of the boundary of marriage to seek love or desire can destroy your very foundation and family”, he wrote.
Quick Answers
Ask News18During the rapid-fire segment on Koffee With Karan Season 9, Karan Johar named his 2006 romantic drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna as the film he would like to remake.
Ask News18October 14, 2026, 20:40 IST