Is Karan Johar facing an identity crisis?

It seems the producer-director wants to give his Dharma Productions’ signature tune an image makeover with Agneepath

When you think of gritty, edgy films, the last production house you would think of is Dharma Productions. True, the firm did produce action movies under Yash Johar – there were the Amitabh Bachchan-starrers Dostana and Agneepath, the Raj Kumar-starrer Muqaddar Ka Faisla – but a majority of its films have been sweet romances. When Karan Johar started making films, he added a heavier dose of sugar and threw in a few tears as well. Remember Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Kal Ho Naa Ho? Now it seems KJo is eager to change Dharma’s image. First there was Kaal and later flicks like Kurbaan and My Name Is Khan. Now there is Agneepath. And it’s going beyond just the movies. During the trailer launch of Agneepath, Karan and Hrithik Roshan revealed that there are plans to change Dharma’s signature tune to suit the gritty nature of Agneepath. The tune right now is an alaap from KKHH, but my two handsome heroes feel it’s just too saccharine for Agneepath. Now a signature tune is supposed to give you a feel of the production house, more than the film. The fact that Karan is pondering changing it just goes to show that his thinking has evolved beyond his sugary romances. And that’s going to reflect in the kind of films he directs and produces from now on. (We wonder what Hrithik, Karan’s current hero, thinks of this new tune thing, since he was heard to be humming sarcastically.) Before Karan makes a final decision, he should realise one thing – his buddy Aditya Chopra doesn’t change Yash Raj Films’ signature tune, whether it’s a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or a Dhoom. And what will KJo do when it’s time to release Student of the Year? Return to the KKHH tune or stick to this more action-oriented tone for a college romance? Confusing, isn’t it?