We desired to make a Hrishikesh Mukherjee type of film: Karan Johar on Good Newwz

Director Raj Mehta’s directorial debut Good Newwz (2019) is a comedy based on a big mistake. Going by the trailer, the film looks like a modern comedy. But the film’s producer Karan Johar said that they have tried giving a tribute to the celebrated filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee through the film starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani. 

"Hrishikesh Mukherjee always used to make social comedies," said Johar at the trailer launch of Good Newwz. "I always desired that we should make such a film at Dharma Productions. A social comedy which is relevant and emotional and the one which makes you laugh and cry; there should be a feel-good factor."

During the course of the conversation, Johar also shared that he had approached Kumar for another film, which was on a much larger scale, but he showed interest in coming on board for Good Newwz despite its smaller scale. "When I started making it, I had thought of making an intimate film. Akshay has given scale to that film. I think that’s an amazing thing for a superstar to do," he said. 

Johar said praised Akshay for never hesitating to work with new directors. "He searches for content. He doesn’t look at the scale. I think he is one actor who has always supported first-time directors. I think that’s very rare for a mega movie star in India. This is his 23rd debut director," said the head of Dharma Productions. 

Johar recalled his experience with other established stars without taking names. "I have been to many actors and narrated many films. Always the question pops out from them is that who is the director and how capable is he or she. I think Akshay only searches for a vibe. He met Raj, heard the story and within a day the script was locked, signed and ready to go," he shared. 

Good Newwz is due to be released on 27 December.