Filmmaker Karan Johar paid an emotional tribute to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Aditya Chopra on Guru Purnima, crediting the two industry stalwarts for transforming his life and career, states Hindustan Times.
Sharing nostalgic photographs on social media, Karan reflected on two defining conversations that inspired him to pursue filmmaking, saying he owes his journey as a director and storyteller to both Shah Rukh and Aditya.
Recalling his early days, Karan revealed that Aditya Chopra convinced him to work as an assistant director on the 1995 blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), just as he was preparing to leave Mumbai for higher studies.
“He told me that if I didn’t pursue this path, I would be making a huge mistake,” Karan wrote.
Inspired by Aditya’s faith in him, he sought permission from his father, late producer Yash Johar, to spend a year learning on a film set.
Karan admitted he had no practical knowledge of filmmaking at the time but promised his father he would work hard and follow every instruction.
While Yash Johar believed discipline would make him a good producer, Aditya insisted that passion alone could make him a director.
“I wasn’t sure anyone would believe in me at that point. Only Adi did,” Karan said.
The filmmaker also recalled another life-changing moment with Shah Rukh Khan during the shoot of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in Switzerland.
Standing on a hilltop, Shah Rukh reportedly told him, “Tu director banega aur teri pehli film main karoonga (You will become a director, and I will star in your first film).”
Karan admitted he initially dismissed the promise, joking that Shah Rukh was probably “low on oxygen”.
However, after returning to India, the actor remained committed to his word and backed Karan’s directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), which went on to become one of Bollywood’s most iconic films.
“SRK was serious. He believed in me for a reason I still can’t comprehend today, just like Adi did,” Karan wrote.
Concluding his heartfelt message, Karan thanked both mentors for believing in him before anyone else.
“I am here with my strengths and flaws, my ups and downs, my wins and my losses only because of the both of you. You both are the only reason I can tell stories today. Happy Guru Purnima.”
On the professional front, Karan Johar recently produced Chand Mera Dil, while Aditya Chopra backed Alpha.
Shah Rukh Khan is set to return to cinemas later this year with Siddharth Anand’s King, alongside Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Arshad Warsi, with special appearances by Rani Mukerji and Deepika Padukone.
