Not Alia Bhatt Or Ranveer Singh, But This Actor Was Karan Johar's 'Favourite' In 'Rocky Aur Rani...'

When Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was first released, netizens quickly began to compare Jaya Bachchan with Dhanalakshmi, her character in the film. Some people claim that Jaya often speaks coldly during her public appearances, like her character in the movie. Thus, many netizens assumed this is how the veteran actress behaves on set. However, quashing all assumptions, Karan Johar said in a recent interview that Jaya is not like Dhanalakshmi at all and was, in fact, the crew’s favourite person on set.

Talking to Midday, Karan said, “My crew, if you ask them, who’s the favourite person on set, they’d say Jaya Bachchan. She’s not this persona at all. She’s not Dhanlakshmi.” While the full interview is yet to be released, this statement is already making headlines.

Jaya plays the angry matriarch of the Randhawa household in Karan Johar’s family entertainer. Although Dhanalakshmi took over the family’s small sweets business and turned it into an empire, she held certain traditional values close to her core. As such, she had certain expectations from her daughters-in-law, like covering their heads with a dupatta and focusing on house chores.

Jaya Bachchan essays the role of Ranveer Singh’s grandmother in the film. While Ranveer falls in love with Alia Bhatt’s character Rani, Dhanalakshmi stands in their way to pose an opposition. When things don’t go as planned, an otherwise curt Dhanalakshmi resorts to manipulation and cunning tactics to get her desired results.

While Rocky and Rani manage to win over each other’s families and get married at a lavish ceremony, Dhanalakshmi’s ego doesn’t allow her to partake in the celebrations. Talking about this arc, Karan once told the Hindustan Times, “There was a big debate about ‘Should she come around? Should she not? Should she be at the wedding? Should she not?’ I said she cannot come around. I was like life is not easy and there is payback. She has obviously her own karmic situation which had to be dealt with.”

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was released in theatres on July 28 this year. The film was well received by the audience and crossed the Rs. 150 crore mark at the domestic box office.