5 ways to recognise a Karan Johar film — birthday special

1. Everyone cries, even the men

There are way too many feelings for characters to experience in a Dharma Production and the best way to deal with all these emotions is to have a good cry. Trust us, it’s cathartic. We also like that the leading men of Karan Johar’s films aren’t afraid to show us their inner feelings and shed a couple of tears while they’re at it.

2. The broken hearts club

You know you’re watching a Karan Johar film, when you see a character nursing a broken heart. From breakups to infidelity to unrequited love, they’ve dealt with it all. Starting all the way from his first film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) to his latest Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2017), there’s always the odd one out in a complicated love triangle.

3. Confident, fashionable characters

The characters in a Karan Johar film wouldn’t be caught dead in a tacky outfit. They wear their designer clothes with ease and look poised to start the next fashion trend. From Kareena Kapoor’s Poo to Alia Bhatt’s Shanaya, they’ve all put their best fashion foot forward.

4. The fabulous lives of the rich and privileged

From jetting off to Paris in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2017) to landing home in your own private helicopter in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), Karan Johar takes us into the lavish lives of the wealthy. They know how to throw their parties and weddings right, and their abodes have a touch of unimaginable extravagance attached to them. And of course, we secretly wish our lives were like that fantasy too!

5. The best star cameos

Johar’s films are filled with familiar faces of his films past. Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan are regulars, and his 2010 feature film My Name is Khan even featured a cinematic version of US President Barack Obama (played by Christopher Duncan). His latest, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), had current Dharma darling Alia Bhatt make a brief appearance as a DJ in the dance number, ‘Breakup Song’.