Romance Returns in Full Bollywood Style — Read our take on Rocky Aur Rani only on puneripages.in
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
Let’s be honest—Bollywood doesn’t really do grown-up love stories. At least, not often. That’s why the subtle, bittersweet romance between Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani stood out. And now, Karan Johar has announced he’s taking that thread further. As someone who actually smiled during their scenes and thought, “Yaar, this feels real,” I think this is a brilliant move.
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Why This Matters More Than You’d Expect
Karan Johar’s films are usually all about young love, heartbreak, and those dramatic family showdowns. But with Dharmendra and Shabana’s characters—Kanwal and Jamini—he gave us something refreshingly mature. It wasn’t over-the-top or filmi. It was about two older people, reconnecting through poetry, with decades of baggage behind them. That kind of vulnerability rarely gets screen time, and it clearly struck a chord with audiences (including me!).
Johar Confirms the Spin-off
In an interview with Film Companion, Karan Johar shared that he’s seriously considering a spin-off centered on Kanwal and Jamini. Not just a vague thought, but something actively being developed. And here’s the best part: Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi are on board.
“There was so much feedback about that track, it just felt wrong to leave it incomplete,” Johar said.
He also acknowledged that this storyline brought something deeply emotional and unexpectedly universal. I mean, I remember watching that Holi scene and going, “Damn, this is better than half the rom-coms I’ve seen in years.”
Why Fans Are So Invested
Because it’s real. It’s not about who’s wearing Manish Malhotra or dancing in snow-clad Switzerland. It’s about two people who messed up, lived life, and still found a way back to love. And for once, the entire family didn’t go into moral outrage. That moment where Kanwal’s family just… accepted it? That felt revolutionary for Bollywood.
Also, major props to Shabana Azmi. Her elegance and quiet strength in that role were magnetic. She wasn’t just a romantic interest; she was a whole human being with her own story. Watching them made me think of all the stories our parents—or even grandparents—might still be carrying silently.
What Could This Spin-off Look Like?
There’s so much potential. The spin-off could explore how they navigate living together (finally!) after so many years apart. How do their adult kids handle it? What about society? And will Kanwal’s poetry still make Jamini blush?
I’d love if they kept the poetic theme intact. Maybe even go deeper into Jamini’s backstory. What was her marriage like? How did she keep Kanwal’s memory alive all those years? And please, give us more musical montages with actual lyrical depth.
Not Just a Sequel—A Cultural Reset
In a way, Karan Johar is doing something he rarely does: handing the spotlight to someone over 60. That’s not just rare in India—it’s almost unheard of in mainstream Hindi cinema. This could be a turning point. A quiet revolution. And honestly, if this opens the doors for more nuanced, age-inclusive storytelling, I’m all in.
As someone who loves Bollywood but also craves emotional realism, this is a story I didn’t know I needed. But now that it’s on the table, I’m rooting for it with everything I’ve got.
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