When Karan Johar first saw Shah Rukh Khan
It is a well-known fact that Bollywood’s most popular producer-director Karan Johar was keen on making a career in acting in his young days. Offering an interesting anecdote from his initial days of struggle, Karan engaged the audiences while promoting the movie, Ittefaq.
“I had gone to meet director Anand Mahendru to audition for his show Indraprastha. Anand was busy shooting and I had to wait for four hours. I noticed a gentleman sitting right opposite me,” reminisced Karan, adding “After waiting for about four hours, Anand walked out of his shooting zone. He went up to this gentleman and said, ‘It got a little late, I am really sorry.’ “However, this gentleman got up from the sofa and said, ‘It’s okay. I love the tea in your office. But I waited only because I wanted to tell you that I will not be able to participate in your show. Thanks a lot!’
“No sooner had this gentleman walked away that Anand came up to me and said, ‘Oh! You really suit my character. I needed someone who looked so chubby like you.’ I was so excited that I asked him if I was on? He nodded in the positive. Moments later Anand said, ‘Did you see this gentleman’s attitude? He has just done one television show titled Fauji. He is a lost cause!’”
Karan then went on to add, “No prizes for guessing that this gentleman was none other than the most loved hero of the entire globe, Shah Rukh Khan!”
Interestingly, King Khan was also present at the event.