Prince William Calls Karan Johar an Icon, Gets K3G Recommendation

• Prince William praised filmmaker Karan Johar as an “icon” during a conversation in London.
• The Prince of Wales agreed to consider watching Johar’s 2001 film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, popularly known as K3G.
• The conversation centred on Johar’s involvement with the Earthshot Prize, an environmental initiative launched by William in partnership with The Royal Foundation.
• William credited Johar with helping the initiative connect with audiences in India.
• The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

Prince William has agreed to watch Karan Johar’s Bollywood family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham after praising the filmmaker as an “icon” during a conversation in London about his contribution to the Earthshot Prize.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network, the Prince of Wales acknowledged Johar’s efforts to help the environmental initiative connect with audiences in India. When asked whether he had watched any of the director’s films, William said he had not yet explored his work but appeared receptive to a recommendation from the journalist.

The exchange turned to Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Johar’s 2001 film widely known as K3G. William agreed to mention the recommendation to the filmmaker when they next meet, although he did not specify when he would watch it.

Prince William Praises Karan Johar’s Earthshot Prize Contribution

William’s comments came during a discussion about Johar’s association with the Earthshot Prize, an environmental initiative launched by the prince in partnership with The Royal Foundation.

Praising the filmmaker’s involvement.

William said, “Really cool. I mean, he’s again an icon, and he’s been so helpful in kind of being able to help the Earthshot prize land, well in India. We want to make it a truly Indian Earthshot Prize. It’s the biggest one we’ve done.”

William also described Johar as “modest” while discussing his contribution, suggesting the filmmaker had not fully introduced him to his body of work.

The conversation highlighted Johar’s role in helping the initiative reach Indian audiences, extending the director’s involvement beyond his work in Hindi cinema.

A Bollywood Classic Makes the Prince’s Watchlist

The journalist recommended Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham when William was asked about watching Johar’s films. She encouraged the prince to tell the director about the suggestion the next time they met.

“Yeah, we all say K3G anyway. If you meet Karan again, ‘Tell him, I’m going to watch your film K3G, he’ll love you,’” the journalist said.

William responded, “Okay got it, I’ll mention that too when I see him.”

Released in 2001, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is among Johar’s best-known directorial projects. Its cast includes Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

The conversation did not establish when William would watch the film, but his response left open the possibility of an introduction to Johar’s cinema.

Earthshot Prize Brings the Two Figures Together

The meeting reflects Johar’s involvement in efforts to build the Earthshot Prize’s presence in India. William has described the ambition as making it “a truly Indian Earthshot Prize”.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to conclude on November 17, 2026, with India hosting the event for the first time, according to the supplied source material.

While the discussion centred on environmental outreach, the recommendation of K3G offered a lighter moment, connecting William’s work with the filmmaker to one of Johar’s most recognisable films.

For now, the prince has expressed an intention to mention the recommendation to Johar. Whether the Bollywood classic becomes his first experience of the director’s films remains unconfirmed.