Last evening at the launch party of her third book Pajamas are Forgiving, Karan Johar joined bestselling author Twinkle Khanna and superstar husband Akshay Kumar at the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai for a starry get-together. This morning, the prolific filmmaker was directing Akshay and Twinkle in an ad film at Mehboob Studios.

[caption id="attachment_129597" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Karan Johar at the launch of Twinkle Khanna's book 'Pyjamas Are Forgiving'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_129595" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Akshay Kumar clicked at the launch of Twinkle Khanna's book 'Pyjamas Are Forgiving'[/caption]

History of sorts was made at the shoot. KJo and Akshay are Bollywood veterans, friends, and now co-producers. Yet the Dharma Productions’ bossman has never directed the actor before. And nor has Karan directed Twinkle, his childhood friend and boarding school mate, during her Bollywood years as an actress. So for him, this was a double of firsts.

[caption id="attachment_129880" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] The Dharma 2.0 unit cut a cake for Akshay Kumar whose birthday it is tomorrow on the sets.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_129878" align="aligncenter" width="1072"] Karan Johar gives Akshay Kumar a warm birthday hug.[/caption]

Recommended Read: Karan Johar to present Akshay Kumar,Rajinikanth starrer 2.0

There’s a bit of old history here, too. Twinkle turned down Karan’s debut film as director, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, 20 years ago because she didn’t like the script. A disappointed KJo, who wrote the role keeping her in mind, took it to Rani Mukerji then. But Karan always wanted to direct Twinkle and when the opportunity came to make an ad film with Akshay and her, Karan grabbed it.

[caption id="attachment_129599" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Karan Johar and Twinkle Khanna[/caption]

Actually, the assignment dropped into his lap. Producing the ad is Dharma 2.0, the young and zippy venture of his Dharma Productions dedicated to making ads for TV incorporating the aesthetics and professionalism of filmmaking. Dharma 2.0 has a team of dynamic directors including Punit Malhotra, Shakun Batra, Abhishek Varman and Sharan Sharma who brought fresh energy and young vibes to Dharma Productions’ blockbusters like Dostana, 2 States, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and Kapoor & Sons. Any of them could have directed this ad but KJo stepped in to call the shots himself.

The first time Karan directed an ad film for Dharma 2.0 was during the Jio IPL Twenty20 season when he shot the home ads for Akash Ambani featuring Deepika Padukone with whom he has a connect. This time, sources say Karan was keen on capturing the lively chemistry between Akshay and Twinkle in the commercial. The superstar actor and his bestselling author wife play themselves in the ad. They will be shown giving marital advice to a young couple. Look out for the ads in early October.