Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani has completed 10 years of its release. To mark the special day, the director has shared a lengthy note expressing how it will always be “a piece of my heart and soul.” Ayan Mukerji also revealed that he has not watched the film from the start to end yet, since its release, but plans to see it “atleast once a year” when he gets “older and wiser.” The reason – YJHD reflects who he was in his 20s and how he looked at life in the perfect way. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani starred Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, Aditya Roy Kapur and his brother Kunaal Roy Kapur (in a cameo role). Ayan Mukerji also featured in a special role as a DJ in the film.
Sharing a montage of best scenes from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with the evergreen song Ilahi playing in the background, Ayan Mukerji wrote: “YJHD - My second child, a piece of my heart and soul - 10 years old today! I think after all these years, I can confidently say that…Making this movie was one of the greatest joys of my life! And what we achieved with it - with all its perfections and imperfections - is a source of great eternal pride for me! Strangely, I don't think I've ever seen Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani fully from beginning to end, since the day it released …(Always pushing towards the next milestone, and not looking back enough…). But when I'm older and wiser - I think I will watch the movie atleast once a year - because a big part of who I was and how I looked at life - is forever captured in this movie!”
Ayan Mukerji, who is also credited for the blockbuster Brahmastra, shared that people still recognise him for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. That's the magic of the film. He added: “In the recent months, I have often had people recognise me and come up to me… and I'm thinking they will say something about Brahmastra, and then they started talking about YJHD! So, putting out a whole lot of gratitude for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani… and all the many people who connected deeply with the movie over the years!”
Ayan Mukerji also shared a screenshot of the “director's note” he had written about the film a decade ago, on his Instagram Stories. “Also sharing a Director's Note I had written at the time, in my story which someone special from my team shared with me a few days ago… and it brought back all kinds of memories for me! Yup (sic),” wrote Ayan.
In the clip, Ayan Mukerji can be heard saying, “Almost everything that I experienced as a 20-year-old to almost 30 is packed into this film.” Take a look:
Here's the director's note on Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani that Ayan Mukerji received from one of his team members a few years ago.
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Ayan Mukerji has also been sharing heartwarming behind-the-scenes photos with close friend Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone from the set.
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Screenshot of Ayan Mukerji's Instagram story
Karan Johar, too, celebrated 10 years of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani on Wednesday. He was one of the co-producers of the film. “Time flies…especially when a film like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani never gets old. This was a special story which really got the heart and the pulse of the generation and many more to come… And what a dream team that told this story of dreams so beautifully! #10YearsOfYJHD,” wrote KJo.
The film also starred Madhuri Dixit, Evelyn Sharma and Tanvi Azmi in pivotal roles.