The curtains have risen on Cannes 2025, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia and cinematic celebration for Bollywood celebrities. Among the many stories unfolding at the festival, Karan Johar’s return to the prestigious event carries a deeply personal significance. Johar is at Cannes for the premiere of ‘Homebound’ his latest production directed by Neeraj Ghaywan which has secured a spot in the Un Certain Regard category. But beyond the excitement of the film’s screening, Cannes holds a special place in his heart – it’s where his journey with international cinema truly began. Speaking at the Bharat Pavilion, Johar reminisced about his first visit to Cannes in 2002, when he accompanied his father Yash Johar for ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, “I have a lot of emotional memories of Cannes. I remember it was 2002 when I came here with my father. He struck a deal here and we sold the European rights of ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ for USD 5,000,” he shared. At the time, Johar questioned the modest sum but his father’s wisdom prevailed. “I thought it was very less and I asked my father about it. He told me, ‘Look, we have to start somewhere.’ He wasn’t there to see the cultural movement we created with Bollywood films,” Johar reflected. Now, as he returns to Cannes, the memories of his father’s presence linger, making the experience feel like a homecoming. With ‘Homebound’ set to make its mark, Johar’s journey at Cannes comes full circle – a testament to Bollywood’s growing global footprint.
