Yash Chopra Didn't Believe in the Film 'Hum Tum', But Director Kunal Kohli Proved Him Wrong

Director Kunal Kohli, known for Bollywood hits like Fanaa and Teri Meri Kahaani, is celebrated for his compelling storytelling.

By Priyanka Yadav 20 May 2025 in Entertainment

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Yash Chopra Didn't Believe in the Film 'Hum Tum', But Director Kunal Kohli Proved Him Wrong

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‘Fanaa’ (Fanaa), ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’ (Mujhse Dosti Karoge), ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ (Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic), and ‘Teri Meri Kahaani’ (Teri Meri Kahaani) — director Kunal Kohli is widely known in Bollywood for his remarkable storytelling.

Shared an Emotional Story

Recently, he shared an emotional story related to the making of the 2004 romantic-comedy classic film Hum Tum, starring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. He revealed how, although the film brought fame to both him and Saif (who won his first National Award for acting for this film), the journey of making the film was full of challenges.

Yash Chopra Didn’t Have Faith in the Film

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In an interview with Radio Nasha, Hum Tum director Kunal Kohli revealed that legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra initially didn’t believe in the film.

"Yash Chopra had kept the budget tight and didn’t even want to associate his name with the film in the beginning. He clearly said — 'This film has a ₹7.5 crore budget, make it within that. If the money runs out, I’ll release whatever has been made.”

Director Kunal Kohli loses maternal aunt to COVID-19, heartbroken that family can't get together

Kunal further explained, “It wasn’t a matter of limited resources — we had almost nothing. The film’s outdoor shoot had to be done outside of Delhi and Mumbai, and it also included animation, which was challenging in itself. Out of the total budget, ₹2.5 crore was just for the animation. Then we found a new animation studio that agreed to do the job for just ₹50 lakh. That was a huge relief for us.”

After Watching the Final Edit, Yash Chopra Hugged Me

“When the final edit of the film was ready, I was nervous about whether Yash ji would like it or not,” Kunal recalled. “After watching Hum Tum, Yash ji’s perception completely changed. He called me and Aditya Chopra into the room. I was anxious, but he said — ‘You were right, I was wrong. This is a beautiful film.’ Tears welled up in my eyes. Perhaps he thought I hadn’t understood him, so he stood up from his seat and hugged me. That moment was incredibly emotional and unforgettable for me.”

It’s worth noting that Hum Tum, directed by Kunal Kohli, was greatly loved by the audience. Not only was the film well-received, but its songs and dialogue are still cherished by fans today.

Meanwhile, Kunal’s recent release, Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story, has also received a positive response from the audience.