Matters of the heart are Mushkil, most certainly, and who could explain it better than Karan Johar? The filmmaker has been elaborating on the subject for two decades through his dhamakedaar films that entertained audiences since 1998. Today is a memorable day for KJo because his first film as a director, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, turns 20 and as admitted by him in an interview – Karan Johar is what he is “today because of that film”.

Grandeur, melodrama and exuberance are Karan’s characteristics while helming films – he has directed six so far and has been appreciated by most and panned by certain quarters for his style of filmmaking. But folks, Karan Johar is Karan Johar and we just love him. Critics’ opinions haven’t bothered him to say the least as he has remained unfazed and has, instead, continued with his approach – which is precisely why his films have developed a particular audience. Nevertheless, irrespective of the admiration that Karan has been subject to, let’s take a look at the critical reception of his films:

Recommended Read: 20 Years Of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: Timeless moments that made the film a cult classic

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji in the principal roles, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai escalated KJo to stardom almost immediately with its release. Not only was the film a blockbuster but it also made the director an overnight star. Considering the fact that the film marked KJo’s debut in the industry, critics actually were impressed with his directorial skills and especially stressed on his ability to effortlessly portray SRK’s and Kajol ’s arresting chemistry onscreen – in a manner reminiscent of Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Now that was certainly a big compliment for him at the beginning of his career.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Three years after Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, KJo did what he does best – pulled off a casting coup with Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, with Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, SRK, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor in the leading roles. Let’s get this straight – K3G can make you overemotional but you’d be lying if you said that you haven’t watched it more than once. Tipped as the “perfect Hindi film”, K3G has been praised by critics for its sentimental scenes, extravaganza and performances but certain quarters also spoke otherwise of its screen time – the film runs for almost four hours.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Ae dil hai mushkil,  KJo told us in 2006 through Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna; we didn’t have to wait till 2016 for this fact, honestly. Abhishek Bachchan loves Rani Mukerji loves SRK – the complicated path of love that resurrected extramarital affairs was applauded by critics and foreign media as well for its delicate screenplay. One eminent journalist praised KJo for turning an “ordinary scene into something special” with a single dialogue or even with the help of its background score. American magazine Variety commended the actors for portraying their respective characters with sensitivity and evoking every possible emotion in film-buffs.

My Name Is Khan

KJo’s 2010 film is unarguably a massive shift from his school of filmmaking as My Name Is Khan centered on a controversial subject. Not just that, KJo shot the film in the USA with a Muslim actor as its principal character – a rather courageous step that he pulled off without a doubt. SRK’s Rizwan Khan is remembered for his chemistry with Kajol’s Mandira. Critics also commended KJo’s directorial prophecy for amalgamating the political subtext of the film with utmost love and care.

Student of the Year

Can we subtly refer to Student of the Year as the modern-day Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Like slightly, because SOTY left us with a whiff of KJo’s 1998 film. Besides, three stars – Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra – were born while critics gave it a thumbs up for entertaining audiences with romance, action, good performances and music. It’s fun, dramatic and everything Karan Johar! Journalist Anupama Chopra summed it well in her review, “His films work as both designer porn and soap opera."

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

The wait for KJo’s subsequent film after SOTY was pretty long – Ae Dil Hai Mushkil released four years later. “Love tedha hai,” as soon as Ranbir Kapoor said so we were sure that the subject of ADHM would touch hearts as would Anushka Sharma’s and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s characters. ADHM was widely praised as KJo’s best while critics also said that the film was a delightful watch and logical enough – a trait that often loses the plot in the midst of portraying complex matters of the heart.

KJo is directing Takht next – after another long wait – with a massive cast comprising Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Alia, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, Anil Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor. The film is releasing in 2020.