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If there's one relieved and happy man in Bollywood it's Karan Johar. He finally wrapped up his mammoth epic Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna last week, had a gorgeous wrap-up party for the cast and crew and left for
London on 12th night.
Speaking from his favourite city Karan says, "We're here for BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television
Arts)'s Bollywood weekend from Saturday to Monday. They're honouring Aamir by screening Rang De Basanti.
They're also honouring Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra. Shah Rukh flagged off the Bollywood weekend. Then on Saturday night Laxmi Mittal is having a party for all of us. It's a big event here
in London.
The British press is here in full splendour. Even Preity Zinta is attending with us. Me? My Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is being shown. I'm also screening seven minutes of Kabhi Alvidaa Na
Kehna. This would be the first public screening of my film."
Karan is relieved and sentimental about the end of KANK. "Amit Uncle was a little unwell. And then we lost
two days to rain. But choreographer Farah Khan is super-fast. She did an amazing job of making up for lost
time.
Even being under the weather, Amit Uncle was in his element. All the actors co-operated to
complete this crucial last stint. Finally we could all say alvidaa to Alvidaa. ...Now I'm anxious about the
release.
There's a lot of pressure for delivering the goods. I'm scared by the expectations.
Everyone is talking about KANK. The music took its time to create its own ripples. But now everyone's
singing Mitwa even here in London. Yes, I'm excited by the enthusiasm for the music. I hope the film lives
up the hype."
And yes, the hush-hush KANK wrap-up party. Over to Karan. "We wrapped-up on the night that we shot for
the last time (10 July). It was a brilliant end to a turbulent but memorable shooting spree. That was fun. It
was just the cast and crew... a very private affair.
And we had a great time. It was our way of
showing to each other what a great time we had during the film's making. The shooting was also a lot of
hard work.
And we needed to celebrate at the end of it. It was moment of great happiness for all of
us. And of course we did feel sad....that's bound to be when something beautiful ends. We all danced. And
we were selfish enough to dance only to our own music from KANK."
Monday, July 17, 2006 17:26 IST