Jana Gana Mana gives me goosebumps

His films might be set abroad, but for Filmmaker Karan Johar it's all about loving your country

His films might be set abroad, but for Filmmaker Karan Johar it's all about loving your country

My earliest memories of Independence Day are of school flag hoisting and singing the national anthem. For me, it was always a special day; a day for creating art and craftwork with patriotism as the theme.

A very special memory that remains etched in my mind is that of dad and me driving towards Mehmoob Studio looking for a vendor to buy paper flags.

I would buy three flags one for the car, one for my room and one to take to school.

Hindustani: Karan Johar

When I hear the national anthem, I'm overwhelmed. It fills me with a sense of pride.
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When I hear it playing at cinema halls, especially the one sung by Lataji, A R Rehman and other veterans
it gives me goosebumps; makes my hair stand. And it happens every time I hear the anthem.

That's why I included Jana Gana Mana in my film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (K3G).

Indians abroad are extremely patriotic and K3G is about such a quintessential Indian family, which is away from their country, but rooted to India.

A lot of Indians living abroad share a special bond with our motherland.u00a0 I feel they are far more attached to their roots than Indians living here. We get slightly cynical.

I'm nobody to give out a message on I-Day. But, I would like to tell the young and the old that they should listen to their inner voice.

Follow your instincts, but have respect and reverence for your country and family should be the mantra of every Indian.

(As told to Upala KBR)