A royal name-check has turned into a Bollywood watchlist moment. Prince William met Karan Johar in London at an event connected to the Earthshot Prize and left with a film recommendation he says he will pass along the next time they meet.
What happened in London
Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Prince William described Johar in warm terms. “Really cool. I mean, he’s again an icon,” he said, adding that the filmmaker has been helpful in making the Earthshot Prize land “well in India.”
When a journalist pointed out that some of Johar’s best-known films travel far beyond India, William admitted he had not watched any of them yet. The journalist told him to say he would watch Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and the Prince replied, “Okay got it, I’ll mention that too when I see him.”
Why the K3G moment lands
The suggestion was not random. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, released in 2001, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. For many global viewers, the family drama works as an introduction to Bollywood’s most maximalist instincts: grand sets, emotional confrontations and songs that stay in the head for years.
For celebrity watchers, the exchange is a small crossover win. A British royal is now on record with a Bollywood film to catch up on, while Johar gets a global cultural nod from a world figure usually associated with a very different news cycle.
The Earthshot Prize’s India push
Johar has been helping the environmental initiative build a stronger presence in India. Prince William wants the project to feel truly Indian, and he told BBC Asian Network that the India edition is “the biggest one we’ve done.”
The Earthshot Prize Summit is designed to connect promising environmental projects with funding, partnerships and community support over two days. It leads into the sixth Earthshot Prize Awards Night on November 17, 2026, when 15 finalists will be recognised and five winners will receive £1 million each.
Karan Johar’s busy calendar
Beyond the royal meeting, Johar has several projects in motion:
- Koffee with Karan is nearing the end of its run, with Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna set to appear while promoting Ranabaali.
- Student of the Year – After Dark, featuring Shanaya Kapoor, is scheduled to stream on JioHotstar from November 13, 2026.
The London meeting leaves a neat thread: Prince William has the recommendation, K3G has a royal first-timer, and Earthshot has a Bollywood ally helping it reach a larger Indian audience.
Source: Hindustan Times
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