I hope my film lives up to the hype: Johar

Mumbai, July 17 (IANS) If there is one relieved and happy man in Bollywood now, it is filmmaker Karan Johar. He finally wrapped up his latest love epic "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (KANK) last week and had a gorgeous wrap-up party for the cast and crew.

After that, Karan flew to London to attend the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards night, which was held July 12.

"We were there for BAFTA's Bollywood weekend from Saturday to Monday. They honoured Aamir (Khan) by screening 'Rang De Basanti'. They also honoured Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra. Shah Rukh flagged off the Bollywood weekend.

"Then on Saturday night, (India-born global steel baron) Lakshmi Mittal had 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 attended the gala with us.

When asked what he was doing there, Johar said: "Me' My 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' was being shown. I am also screening seven minutes of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. This would be the first public screening of my film."

Johar was relieved and yet sentimental about the end of KANK's shooting.

"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 cooperated to complete this crucial last stint.

"Finally, we could all say alvida to 'Alvida...' Now I am anxious about the release. There is a lot of pressure for delivering the goods. I am scared by people's expectations. Everyone is talking about KANK. The music took its time to create its own ripples. But now everyone's singing 'Mitwa' - even in London. Yes, I'm excited by the enthusiasm for the music. I hope the film lives up to the hype."

And yes, what about the hush-hush KANK wrap-up party'

"We wrapped up on the night that we shot for the last time (July 10). 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 a 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."

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Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna