The teaser of Karan Johar’s much-awaited directorial return Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was unveiled on Tuesday. After a couple of experimental short films in Lust Stories and Ghost Stories, the Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... director returns with a quintessential ‘Karan Johar’ film - families, foreign locations, big sets, and bigger emotions.
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Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as the titular lovers. Over a typically impassioned, classical-inflected background score, the 79-second teaser details their romance while introducing us to their family members. Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan play Mr. and Mrs. Randhawa, the grandparents of Ranveer Singh’s character Rocky Randhawa. Meanwhile, Shabana Azmi plays Mrs. Chatterjee, the grandmother of Alia’s Rani Chatterjee.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani promises to be a hearty and wholesome Dharma film. The first half of the teaser is big on dances and celebrations, as is Kjo’s wont. The second half, however, brims with clashes and teary eyes. There is a lot of fighting, crying, bickering, and making up, a gamut of emotions punctuated by visually resplendent musical numbers.
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Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt were previously paired in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy (2019). In addition to the main cast, actors Tota Roy Chowdhury, Aamir Bashir, Sriti Jha and others are also featured in the film.
Reacting to the teaser, Shah Rukh Khan, star of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and My Name Is Khan, all directed by Johar, wrote on social media, “Wow @karanjohar 25 years as a filmmaker. You’ve come a long way baby!! Your father and my friend Tom uncle must be seeing this from heaven and feeling extremely happy and proud. Have always told you to make more and more films because we need the ethereal magic of love being brought to life... like only u can do. #RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani teaser is looking beautiful. Love you and best wishes to the cast and crew...”
Rocky Rani... is written by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan and Sumit Roy. Pritam has composed the music.
The film is set to release in theatres on July 28, 2023.