Nikkhil Advani Recalls How Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Went Over Budget: 'Art budget Was Rs 3 Cr For...'

The making of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is one for the books. The 2001 family drama, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor, was one of the most expensive Indian films of its time. Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, who worked as an assistant director on the film, shared stories about the challenges they faced and the support they received from producer Yash Johar.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was Karan Johar’s second directorial venture after his blockbuster debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The family drama was larger in scale and featured some of India’s biggest movie stars, which naturally led to a higher budget. In an interview with Film Companion, Nikkhil Advani recalled how Yash Johar initially held onto the budget proposal for the film himself. They proposed a substantial budget of Rs 24.5 crore, with Rs 3 crore allocated just for art direction.

“He took the paper on which we had written it, folded it, put it in his pocket and said, ‘Ok, go and make the film.’ It was a huge number back in 2000. On the first day of the shoot, we were filming Bole Chudiyan, with 200 dancers, 300 junior artistes and the entire star cast was there. We had taken Filmistan studio, which has ten floors, and all ten were taken by us. So Filmistan studio had become Dharma studios, where one floor was Yash Johar’s office, the other was HoD’s office, one was just eating room. We had painted the makeup rooms, we had re-done the bathroom, the plumbing, put MF Hussain prints, fridge, TV, cable, everything. There used to be a letter pad (which would read) ‘from the desk of Jaya Bachchan.’ There was one note from Karan every morning about what he felt that day! On the first day of the shoot, Karan fainted!”

The filmmaker recalled a conversation with Yash Johar outside the set. Yash reminded him of the film’s budget estimate, noting they had spent Rs 3 crore and 60 lakhs on one set, far exceeding the initial art budget. “I said, ‘Yash ji there is too much stress now, I need to check a lot of things on set so I don’t know.’ Then he removes the same piece of paper, unfolds it, and says, ‘Art budget was Rs 3 cr for the entire film, you have spent Rs 3 cr and 60 lakhs on one set.’ He tore the paper and said, ‘Now go and make this film.’ The eventual budget of the film was Rs 54.5 cr!”