On the occasion of Father’s Day, the filmmaker reflects on parenting with empathy and love, in a candid podcast conversation on Audible

CJ Desk

On the occasion of Father’s Day, listen in on Karan Johar’s world of modern parenting—where tough questions, tight hugs, and found families shape his journey as a single dad. Karan opens up with honesty about raising twins, redefining family, and learning to show up—flaws and all. 

“There is no one correct way of being a family as long as there is true understanding and support,” says Karan Johar—and that’s exactly the kind of heart-led honesty that runs through his conversations on his podcast Live Your Best Life with Karan Johar on Audible.in. From raising twins as a single dad to finding strength in his “found family,” Karan chats about all things modern parenting on Episode 4 of the series, called Modern Families, with Ira Khan, Neha Dhupia, and Avantika and Durjoy Dutta.

He shares, “My chat with Ira and Neha has reaffirmed my belief that there is no cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach to modern families. It’s about what works for you. It’s about evolving with time and having the awareness, compassion, and courage to do what it takes so that everyone in your family can thrive and live their best life.”

This Father’s Day, we turn to four moments where Karan reflects on what it means to parent with empathy:

On facing the imminent questions from his kids

“I will have to have a chat with my twins about how they came into this world…” In an emotional moment with Masaba, Karan opens up about the honest conversations that lie ahead with his kids, Yash and Roohi, about their birth. He discusses with Masaba the importance of leading those talks with truth and love: “Those questions have started. And while I’ve been poetic so far about it with them, I’ve said, ‘You’ve come from Dada’s heart.’” He adds, “I will have to have a chat with my twins about how they came into this world…” as they begin to ask deeper questions.

On fashion feedback from his kids

“Dada, you look like a clown!” Even one of Bollywood’s most stylish dads isn’t safe from the brutal honesty of his kids. Karan recalls the times Yash and Roohi have roasted his outfits—and how he wouldn’t trade those playful jabs (or warm hugs) for anything.He shares, “Because dressing up back home is an altogether different scenario. I’ll sometimes have my mum telling me to go back to my room and change, while Yash and Roohi tell me, ‘Dada, you look like a clown.’ But when I’m traveling, I miss their brutal honesty, their hugs, and, most of all, the joy of our little family unit of four.”

On parenting his way

“Raising Roohi and Yash with Mum is the single best decision I’ve made in my life.” Karan opens up about building a home with his mother by his side and raising a different-looking family with pride, strength, and unconditional love—proving that what matters most isn’t structure, but support.He shares, “Raising Roohi and Yash with Mum is the single best decision I’ve made in my life. Best. But it was certainly not the easiest.”

On found families and forever bonds

“One of the greatest joys of my life is that my children benefit so much from the tribe I’ve built.” From Gauri Khan to Farah Khan and Neha Dhupia, Karan celebrates his chosen family who’ve stood by him and his children like a rock. He shares, “I had no siblings, but I did have... a found family. 

“One of the greatest joys of my life is that my children benefit so much from the tribe I’ve built through my life. I have this army of really strong relationships—family who are close to me, to my mom, and to my kids. They’ve been there for me. They’ve been my friends who’ve been so supportive.” He adds, “For my kids, they couldn’t be further from lacking ‘a mother’s love’—they have my mum and they have an endless shower of love and support from my found family—Putlu (Kajal Anand), Shweta (Bachchan), Gauri (Khan), Farah (Khan), Neha (Dhupia).”