In a surprising revelation during the promotion of his 2023 hit film ‘
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
’,
Karan Johar
shared some unexpected insights about the cast dynamics on set. Known for her stern public persona,
Jaya Bachchan
was revealed to be the crew’s favorite person behind the scenes. This revelation, coming from Johar himself, painted a very different picture of the veteran actress, especially considering her intimidating role in the film.
In an interview with Midday, the filmmaker expressed his admiration for Jaya Bachchan, who played the formidable matriarch, Dhanlakshmi, in the film.
He disclosed that contrary to her character’s stern demeanor, Bachchan was nothing like
Dhanlakshmi
off-camera. He said if anyone asked his crew, who’s favorite person on set, they would say Jaya Bachchan.
Karan Johar, known for his attention to
character development
, also shed light on the narrative choices behind Dhanlakshmi’s character arc. Speaking at the success meet for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ Johar explained why Dhanlakshmi’s character did not experience the typical change of heart seen in many Bollywood films. “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,” Johar stated. This decision to keep Dhanlakshmi’s character consistent and unresolved added a layer of realism to the film, reflecting the complexities of real-life relationships.
In ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ Jaya Bachchan took on the role of Dhanlakshmi, a tough, traditional family matriarch who had built a successful sweets empire in Delhi. Her character, while formidable, adhered to conservative values, expecting her daughter-in-law to cover her head with a chunni and pushing her plus-sized granddaughter into marriage against her will. Dhanlakshmi’s strong-willed and rigid nature made her a key figure in the film, especially as she tried to thwart the marriage plans of her grandson Rocky, played by Ranveer Singh, with the Bengali journalist Rani, portrayed by Alia Bhatt.
This film marked Jaya Bachchan’s third collaboration with Karan Johar, following their successful partnerships in the 2001 family drama ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ and the 2003 romantic comedy ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho.’ Her portrayal of strong, authoritative women in these films has solidified her place as a versatile and respected actress in the industry.
Jaya Bachchan in a Never-Before-Seen Avatar
