The Prince of Wales has publicly acknowledged the contributions of Indian filmmaker Karan Johar to the Earthshot Prize, an environmental initiative founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation. During a recent engagement in London, the Prince praised the filmmaker's role in helping the project expand its reach and resonance within India, describing him as an "icon" who has remained modest regarding his efforts.
The Earthshot Prize, which aims to support and scale innovative environmental solutions, is preparing for its sixth annual awards ceremony scheduled for November 17, 2026. As the organization works to solidify its footprint in South Asia, the Prince noted that Johar has been instrumental in helping the initiative gain traction. "He's been so helpful in kind of being able to help the Earthshot prize land, well in India. We want to make it a truly Indian Earthshot Prize. It's the biggest one we've done," the Prince stated during an interview with the BBC Asian Network.
Beyond his professional collaboration with the environmental project, the conversation between the Prince and the press took a turn toward Bollywood. When asked if he had viewed any of the filmmaker's cinematic works, Prince William admitted that he had not yet seen any of the movies. However, he expressed openness to the idea, suggesting that as their professional association continues, he expects to be introduced to the filmmaker's extensive body of work.
During the exchange, a journalist recommended the 2001 family drama, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, to the Prince. The film, which features a prominent ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, is considered a significant piece of modern Indian cinema. The journalist suggested that mentioning his intent to view the film would be well-received by the director. Prince William responded to the recommendation with enthusiasm, confirming, "Okay got it, I'll mention that too when I see him."
The interaction highlights the ongoing bridge-building efforts of the Earthshot Prize as it prepares for its upcoming global summit. The two-day event is designed to foster collaboration between business leaders, environmental innovators, and community organizations. By connecting high-impact environmental projects with necessary funding and partnerships, the summit aims to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions.
As the countdown to the awards night continues, fifteen finalists have been selected for the 2026 cycle. Each of the five ultimate winners is set to receive a grant of £1 million to further develop their environmental projects. The involvement of public figures like Karan Johar serves as a mechanism for the foundation to engage broader audiences in its mission to address global environmental challenges.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between the Prince and the filmmaker remains focused on the environmental goals set forth by The Royal Foundation. While the promise to watch Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham added a lighter note to the proceedings, it underscored the growing cultural exchange between the Prince's environmental advocacy and the Indian creative community.
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