Karan Johar Shares Untold Story Behind Viral 2018 Photo
Karan Johar Shares Untold Story Behind Viral 2018 Photo
Filmmaker Karan Johar has finally opened up about the story behind the now-iconic 2018 photograph that featured Bollywood’s biggest stars — Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh — all in one unforgettable frame.
In a recent conversation with Sania Mirza on her podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Karan revealed that the picture was taken on Ranbir Kapoor’s 36th birthday and that the day carried a deep emotional significance for everyone present.
“It was a very emotional day,” Karan recalled. “We had all gathered to celebrate Ranbir’s birthday, but at the same time, there was a lot of concern about Rishi Kapoor’s health. The mood was bittersweet, but since it was Ranbir’s special day, we all decided to drop by to wish him. One by one, everyone we called ended up coming — and that’s how that picture happened.”
Karan Johar Shares Untold Story Behind Viral 2018 Photo
For context, Rishi Kapoor had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2018 and later passed away in 2020. Karan mentioned that the picture — featuring some of the most celebrated names in Indian cinema — quickly became viral because of the sheer star power in one frame.
“It became an instant sensation,” he said with a smile. “After Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar selfie, this was probably the next big picture moment — except ours wasn’t a selfie. I don’t think such a group of actors could come together again so spontaneously.”
The photograph, taken before the pandemic, has since remained a cherished memory for Bollywood fans — a rare snapshot of unity and warmth among the industry’s biggest icons. – Karan Johar Shares Untold Story Behind Viral 2018 Photo
On the professional front, the stars from the picture continue to dominate headlines:
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Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are teaming up once again for Siddharth Anand’s King, whose teaser dropped on SRK’s 60th birthday.
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Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are currently filming Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War alongside Vicky Kaushal, slated for release on August 14, 2026.
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Ranveer Singh is preparing for his upcoming film Dhurandhar, while Aamir Khan is collaborating with Rajkumar Hirani on a biopic about cinema legend Dadasaheb Phalke.
Karan Johar’s revelation adds a layer of sentiment to the already legendary image — turning what was once seen as a glamorous gathering into a moment of shared humanity, friendship, and emotional connection in Bollywood history.
Karan Johar Shares Untold Story Behind Viral 2018 Photo
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