In a recent statement, filmmaker Karan Johar drew a parallel between his 2012 film, Student of the Year, and the popular Amazon Prime Video series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Johar playfully asserted that his film paved the way for the teen drama genre, quipping, "We were here first".

Student of the Year, directed by Johar, marked the Bollywood debuts of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra. The film is a romantic comedy-drama set in a high school, revolving around friendship, love, and competition. It was praised for its youthful energy, music, and the fresh faces it introduced to the industry. While Student of the Year received mixed reviews, it was a commercial success and became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of 2012.

The Summer I Turned Pretty, based on the novel by Jenny Han, is a coming-of-age story centered on a teenage girl and her romantic entanglements during a summer at Cousins Beach. The series has resonated with young audiences due to its relatable characters, summery atmosphere, and exploration of themes like first love and self-discovery.

Johar's comparison highlights the similarities in the teen-centric narratives of both Student of the Year and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both works delve into the lives of young characters navigating relationships, personal growth, and the drama of adolescence. While Student of the Year is set against the backdrop of a competitive high school, The Summer I Turned Pretty unfolds in the idyllic setting of a beachside town.

Despite the different settings and cultural contexts, both Student of the Year and The Summer I Turned Pretty tap into universal themes that resonate with young audiences. Johar's lighthearted claim acknowledges the shared DNA of these teen dramas while also celebrating the legacy of his own film in launching the careers of some of Bollywood's biggest stars.