One year after the grand success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, filmmaker Karan Johar is once again making headlines — this time for a potential new project that might explore a storyline many viewers couldn’t get enough of: the mature, emotional romance between Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi’s characters in the film. While the central narrative of Rocky Aur Rani focused on the younger love story between Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s characters, it was the understated yet powerful love angle between the legendary Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi that left a lasting impact on audiences.
In a recent interaction, Karan Johar dropped a subtle yet exciting hint about the possibility of turning this subplot into a full-fledged feature. When asked about the public’s emotional response to the older couple’s romance, Johar acknowledged the overwhelming love their story received. He shared that he was deeply moved by how audiences across age groups resonated with the idea of timeless love — one that isn’t bound by age, societal approval, or convention.
Johar said, “When we were developing Rocky Aur Rani, we never imagined that the love story between Kanwal and Jamini (played by Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi) would touch so many hearts. The response to their track was beyond what we anticipated. People wrote to me, telling me how much they cried, how they saw their parents or even themselves in that story. It made me realise — there’s a whole world of storytelling around love in later life that we haven’t explored enough.”
While he stopped short of announcing a formal project, Karan did tease the idea of working on something that delves deeper into that narrative. “I’ve definitely thought about it. There’s something very poetic about second chances, about finding love at a stage when society expects you to be done with romance. If a story like that finds the right voice and structure, I’d love to bring it to the screen,” he added.
Industry insiders believe that such a film could mark a new chapter in mainstream Hindi cinema — one that shifts focus from youthful infatuation to mature, complex, emotionally rich love stories. If it goes forward, it would not only celebrate two legendary actors but also open up space for storytelling around themes often ignored in commercial films: aging, emotional vulnerability, rekindled passion, and the societal taboos around love later in life.
Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi, both icons in their own right, brought an undeniable grace and gravitas to their roles in Rocky Aur Rani. Their characters, separated by circumstances and reunited in the autumn of their lives, struck a beautiful chord with the audience. Who can forget the scene where the two share an affectionate kiss — one of the film’s most talked-about moments, not for shock value, but for the tender honesty it carried.
Fans are already reacting enthusiastically to the possibility of seeing more of Kanwal and Jamini’s story on screen. Social media is abuzz with suggestions for titles, dream sequences, and even speculation about what the plot could involve — a flashback to their youthful days, or a present-day exploration of navigating love, family, and forgiveness.
If the film materializes, it would be yet another bold step for Karan Johar, who in recent years has shown a renewed interest in emotionally layered, character-driven cinema — a departure from the glossy romance genre he once dominated. With audiences becoming increasingly open to unconventional narratives, this story could very well be the next big thing.
For now, fans of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani are holding their breath and crossing their fingers. If Karan Johar does decide to give this love story the spotlight it deserves, it could mark one of the most poignant cinematic journeys in recent memory — reminding us all that love doesn’t follow a timeline, and it never truly fades away.
