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In a recent interview, director Karan Johar discussed the success of the movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and discussed how actor Tota Roy Chowdhury's character was based on him as a child. Because of the way he handled himself and the way he carried himself in college, Karan recalls being called names. He claimed that the encounter has remained in his heart ever since.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marked the return of director Karan Johar. In addition to Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, Tota plays the part of Alia's father, who is a skilled Kathak dancer, in the movie. After performing on stage, he is humiliated because kathak is associated with femininity.
In an interview with Film Companion, Karan remarked, "It's also about things I've personally believed. When I was little, I used to dance in my room to Hindi songs since I was quite effeminate. As he would dance to Dafli Wale Dafli Baja and perform the Jaya Prada section, Karan claimed that his father Yash Johar thought it was "great." "My dad would watch and applaud. He would tell Karan to "Woh dance dikhao sabko" (show them the move) whenever his buddies would visit. "At the time, nobody alerted me to any problems. I therefore assumed that this was okay growing up. You realize when you carry that through and make those movements and people look at you much later, when you are in college.
"You're referred to by a variety of names. I still feel that in my heart since I grew up feeling like I was made fun of for my body language or general manner of being. Tota is based on a character I remember from my youth. I agree with him when he says that "talent has no gender" (Hunar ka koi gender nahi hota). Karan continued. Even while Karan does not describe it as a "traumatic experience," he claimed he was confused as to why his dad was alright with others seeing him as he truly was.
