Veteran actress Himani Shivpuri, known for her roles in hit films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, recently opened up about why she was never cast in any of Karan Johar’s films after Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (KG3). In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the actress shared a candid story of how her words might have upset the filmmaker.
Himani, who played a memorable character in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, revealed that Karan Johar had called her his “lucky charm” during the shooting of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. “After the final scene, Karan told me, ‘It was great working with you, Himani ji. You are my lucky charm.’ I casually replied, ‘Next time, please give me a better role.’” Though Karan promised to do so, things didn’t go as expected.
Himani Shivpuri was later approached by Nikhil Advani, who was working on Kal Ho Na Ho. At a film screening, Nikhil mentioned to her that they were starting the shoot and wanted to include her in the project. “I even asked Yash Johar for a signing amount, and he jokingly gave me one dollar,” Himani shared. But despite this, when her secretary followed up, they were informed that no role was available for her.
This left Himani surprised, especially as more Dharma Productions films came out, but she was never contacted. Feeling confused, she decided to ask Karan about it directly at an award function. She recalled, “I asked Karan why I wasn’t cast in Kal Ho Na Ho after speaking to Nikhil. He told me, ‘Himani ji, that role wasn’t enough for you. I’ll call you when I have something worthy of you.’”
Although Karan Johar assured her of future roles, Himani shared that she never received another call from him. Reflecting on the situation, she expressed sadness but mentioned how she and Karan Johar were once good friends, often gossiping and enjoying their time together on set. Despite the professional distance that followed, she holds no grudge against the filmmaker, but remains puzzled by the abrupt change in their working relationship.
