Karan Johar feels the audience doesn’t warm up to Shah Rukh Khan’s experimental roles.
Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan first teamed up for the former’s debut film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998, and went on to deliver several memorable films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and My Name Is Khan. Besides their successful collaborations, the duo also share a warm equation in real life.
Recently in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Karan opened up on how the pressure of maintaining a superstar image often restricts actors from taking up unconventional roles.
Speaking about his actor-friend Shah Rukh Khan, the filmmaker said that the Bollywood superstar attempted to experiment with his roles with films like Paheli, Asoka, adding that he comes from the mindset to do different things and to make a difference.
Pointing out at how SRK worked with filmmakers like Kundan Shah, Ketan Mehta and Mani Kaul at the beginning of his career, KJo revealed that the actor never wanted to be a quintessential, mainstream hero. But then, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge happened and from there on, everybody wanted to make love stories with him.
Further, Karan placed some blame on the audience for their expectations which restricts King Khan from experimenting with his roles.
“He wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who wanted to change cinema. Now no one will allow him. When say Shah Rukh Khan now, the name comes with an expectation. He might play a mellow character in the future, I hope he does, but there is an expectation that comes with him and it won’t allow a certain kind of film to be made and it is sad because he is an actor first and a star after that. He began in theater,” the ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ director explained.
In the same interview, Karan Johar also called Aamir Khan the ‘real game changer’ in Hindi cinema with his diverse roles in films like Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, Rang De Basanti, and Dil Chahta Hai. He also mentioned Ghajini which also brought back the culture of remake in Bollywood.
On the work front, Karan Johar is all set to make his OTT debut with a highly-anticipated web series that will feature a star-studded ensemble of female actors. The show is slated to go on floors in 2025.
