KJo goes gaga over The Devil Wears Prada 2: This sequel speaks of our time
Karan Johar shared an Instagram note after watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theatres. He said the sequel revives nostalgia while reflecting anxieties around journalism, print and corporate power.
Few films, Karan Johar said, have stayed with him the way The Devil Wears Prada has. After watching The Devil Wears Prada 2, which released in theatres on May 1, the filmmaker shared a detailed note on Instagram saying the sequel resonated with the present times while also taking him back to his memories of the original.
In his post, Johar wrote about nostalgia, his admiration for Meryl Streep and Miranda Priestly, and the way the new film blends humour with a reflection on journalism, print, digital media, and corporate power. He also spoke about how the characters have undergone a transformation in the sequel.
What Karan Johar said
Recalling his connection with the first film, Johar wrote, "Nostalgia is powerful. It keeps the present hopeful my memory of watching #devilwearsprada is embedded in my heart I walked out more in love with Meryl Streep (if that was possible) and understanding the pursuits of Miranda Priestly .. even though she was a tough leader, even though she was aesthetically judgmental and raising an eyebrow elitist to a fault. But I understood her for her chase to attain excellence and perfection. I wondered how I would feel revisiting Andy, Nigel, Emily and Miranda (sic)."
He added that he did not want to compare the sequel with the original because the first film carries what he called a ‘massive heads up of cumulative nostalgia’. At the same time, he said the second film speaks directly to the present.
Johar wrote, "This sequel speaks of our times, the (sadly) emerging irrelevance of serious journalism, the digital overdrive Mania that is eating into the beauty of print, the powerlessness of the artistically powerful forces at the hands of corporations, the need for consolidations over ideations, all that in a Comedy? Yes, that’s the solid strength of Part 2, it makes you think of the travesty of our times (sic)."
How he viewed the characters
Johar also shared his view on how the central characters have evolved in the sequel. He said Miranda Priestly appeared ‘more vulnerable’, while Andy Sachs felt ‘more hopeful’ this time.
He also wrote, ‘Nigel is more amiable, and Emily is just wonderful! I ate my popcorn and sat back on my red hot seat and went back to my 33-year-old self who believed that visions can’t be replaced by vendors!!! That’s all.’
About The Devil Wears Prada 2
Marking its return nearly two decades later, the film brings back Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Set years later, the story revisits Runway in a changed world and adds several new names to the ensemble.
The sequel also features Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B J Novak and Conrad Ricamora. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman reprise their roles as Lily and Irv from the original film.
Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada 2 prompted Johar to revisit his long-standing affection for the first film while praising the sequel for linking that nostalgia with themes he said reflect the current moment.
Few films, Karan Johar said, have stayed with him the way The Devil Wears Prada has. After watching The Devil Wears Prada 2, which released in theatres on May 1, the filmmaker shared a detailed note on Instagram saying the sequel resonated with the present times while also taking him back to his memories of the original.
In his post, Johar wrote about nostalgia, his admiration for Meryl Streep and Miranda Priestly, and the way the new film blends humour with a reflection on journalism, print, digital media, and corporate power. He also spoke about how the characters have undergone a transformation in the sequel.
What Karan Johar said
Recalling his connection with the first film, Johar wrote, "Nostalgia is powerful. It keeps the present hopeful my memory of watching #devilwearsprada is embedded in my heart I walked out more in love with Meryl Streep (if that was possible) and understanding the pursuits of Miranda Priestly .. even though she was a tough leader, even though she was aesthetically judgmental and raising an eyebrow elitist to a fault. But I understood her for her chase to attain excellence and perfection. I wondered how I would feel revisiting Andy, Nigel, Emily and Miranda (sic)."
He added that he did not want to compare the sequel with the original because the first film carries what he called a ‘massive heads up of cumulative nostalgia’. At the same time, he said the second film speaks directly to the present.
Johar wrote, "This sequel speaks of our times, the (sadly) emerging irrelevance of serious journalism, the digital overdrive Mania that is eating into the beauty of print, the powerlessness of the artistically powerful forces at the hands of corporations, the need for consolidations over ideations, all that in a Comedy? Yes, that’s the solid strength of Part 2, it makes you think of the travesty of our times (sic)."
How he viewed the characters
Johar also shared his view on how the central characters have evolved in the sequel. He said Miranda Priestly appeared ‘more vulnerable’, while Andy Sachs felt ‘more hopeful’ this time.
He also wrote, ‘Nigel is more amiable, and Emily is just wonderful! I ate my popcorn and sat back on my red hot seat and went back to my 33-year-old self who believed that visions can’t be replaced by vendors!!! That’s all.’
About The Devil Wears Prada 2
Marking its return nearly two decades later, the film brings back Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Set years later, the story revisits Runway in a changed world and adds several new names to the ensemble.
The sequel also features Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B J Novak and Conrad Ricamora. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman reprise their roles as Lily and Irv from the original film.
Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada 2 prompted Johar to revisit his long-standing affection for the first film while praising the sequel for linking that nostalgia with themes he said reflect the current moment.
