Throwback: When Karan Johar hinted Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna’s relationship may have influenced 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'

In an old interview, Karan Johar shared that the Bollywood couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna may have been an indirect inspiration for the characters in his film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. The movie, which marked Karan’s return to directing after seven years, features Ranveer Singh as Rocky and Alia Bhatt as Rani and has become a major box office hit last year.


Karan told Mid-Day that although he didn’t consciously base the characters on Akshay and Twinkle, their relationship may have influenced him while developing Rocky and Rani’s dynamic. Karan described Akshay and Twinkle’s relationship as one rooted in deep friendship and humor, noting, “Maybe subconsciously I was inspired by them. They share a fantastic friendship in their marriage. I've had dinners with them, spent time with them, and there’s a wonderful ease in their camaraderie. He finds her hilarious, she finds him hilarious — for different reasons.”

Karan went on to share that he found it entirely possible for people from different backgrounds to fall in love. In 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', Rocky and Rani come from distinct social backgrounds, but despite their differences, they find a strong connection. Karan believes that people often limit themselves to finding relationships within familiar boundaries, though love can blossom in unexpected places. He commented, “We put ourselves in boxes when looking for relationships, staying within areas where we’re comfortable. But tomorrow, you could fall in love with someone from anywhere.” This idea, he shared, reflects his belief that love can transcend social divides.

The film stars an impressive cast, including veteran actors Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan, alongside Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, and Namit Das. The movie’s soundtrack, with music by Pritam and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, has also been widely appreciated by audiences.

Despite strong competition from other major Bollywood releases like 'Gadar 2', 'OMG 2', and 'Jawan', Karan Johar’s 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' did extremely well.


Through this film, Karan aimed to tell a story that emphasizes the beauty of relationships across different social backgrounds, and it seems the real-life example of Akshay and Twinkle’s relationship added a subtle yet meaningful influence.