Karan Johar marked Guru Purnima Day On July 29, to Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh KhanHe credits these two mentors with shaping his career. In a touching note, he recalls the key turning points in his journey, starting with Aditya pushing him to pursue his passion for films and Shah Rukh supporting his directorial abilities long before he directed a film. Karan credits them with being the reason he is able to tell his story today and expresses his deep gratitude for the trust, support and guidance they have given him over the years.
Karan Johar recalls his first conversation with Aditya Chopra
Not too long ago, Karan posted a collage capturing memories with Shah Rukh and Aditya. Recalling his first conversation with his friend Chopra, Karan revealed that it was Aditya who first saw the potential in him and encouraged him to assist in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge when he was preparing to study abroad. He remembers Aditya telling him that direction was his real calling and that giving up on films would be a “huge mistake”.Karan credits Aditya for spotting the spark in him before anyone else and giving him the push he needed to take his first steps into filmmaking. He wrote, “There were two conversations that changed my life…one was at 1am when Adi asked me to talk to DDLJ to help him (I was about to leave to further my studies)…he told me I had to become a director…I am very dramatic, cinematic and the only thing I needed was a break as I was always on the treadmill (not the well known gym)…he said I would be making a huge mistake if I didn’t follow this path… …I couldn’t sleep that night, and then in my true film self…the next morning I dramatically went to my dad and asked him to work on a film set for a year…”…I flatly said no…and he asked…”Can you promise to work hard and follow every instruction? Only Adi did it…only he…”
Karan Johar remembers Shah Rukh Khan’s faith in him
Talking about his memories with SRK, KJo wrote, “Switzerland… I was watching the mountains (pretending to be sick and homesick and seeking sympathy) and he came up to me and said, ‘Your director Banega and Terry Paley’s film Main Karonga’… I thought to myself… He might be starved of oxygen and might not know exactly what he is talking about… But he was serious and when we came back to India, he stalked my father… My father (who has mild hearing impairment) ) Not sure either…but Srk is serious…the reason he believed in me is that I don’t quite understand it today either…(like Adi) I love you Adi and Bhai…I come with my strengths and weaknesses…my ups and downs…my wins and my failures…solely and only because of you two…. You two are the only reason I can tell my story today #happygurupurnima…and a shout out to every guru out there who gives and creates something for others…selfless…”
Karan Johar’s next career milestone
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Karan Johar is gearing up to resume hosting duties for Season 2 of Renegades.