“Karan Johar is a brave, very special boy” – Shah Rukh Khan

By Faridoon Shahryar -

January 16, 2017 - 9:21 PM IST

"I want to remember the history I shared with Kajol. Sometimes chapter ends, sometimes books end, sometimes relationships end," said Karan Johar at the launch of his memoir 'An Unsuitable Boy' co-authored by journalist Poonam Saxena. Karan spoke to writer Shobha De (who made the revelation that she is would-you-believe-it 70 years of age) as she delved into various aspects that have been covered in the book. The launch was attended by Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt (Shobha De said that there ought to be a book on Alia so what if she is merely 23 years of age), Sidharth Malhotra, Ayan Mukherji, Manish Malhotra, Niranjan Iyengar and Mrs Hiroo Johar amongst others.

“Karan Johar is a brave, very special boy” – Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, spoke eloquently as he always does before he officially launched the book. He said that the book shouldn't be called 'An Unsuitable Boy' as there are way too many good things in Karan. "Who would sit with his mother late in the night and tell her that let's buy some stuff for you from tele marketing. Karan is a different boy, a sensitive boy, a brave boy and a very special boy," said Shah Rukh Khan. He also added that apart from his family, if anyone understands him then it has to be Karan. "I and my family have truly arrived since there is a full chapter on me in a book written by Karan Johar," said Shah Rukh Khan amidst applause.

Karan Johar spoke on how he is often asked in an inappropriate manner about his sexuality and why over familiarity is not cool. He spoke about how in a preview theatre he saw rushes of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna where Shah Rukh and Rani Mukherji check into a hotel. There was a couple who was watching along with him. The husband said that this must be a dream sequence since it is a Karan Johar film, and it is not possible. When they realised it was not a dream sequence, they walked out of the theatre. "Infidelity is not a deal breaker in a relationship," Karan told Shobha De.

The launch of ‘An Unsuitable Boy’ was like a Karan Johar movie, emotion packed tugging at the heart strings, and then Johar looked at his mother in the audience at the end of the show and said, "I love you Mummy." There was no question and answer session for the media at the end of the evening which was a deal breaker since there were several questions waiting to be asked. I wanted to ask Karan Johar; how important has been the role of his mother in instilling confidence in him to face the several tough trials that he has undergone in what has been an illustrious journey. Well, he doesn't do too many interviews other than a select few, I wonder when, will I possibly ask him this and many other questions that I have for him. It goes without saying that I have a tremendous respect for him for standing up for free speech despite several roadblocks. As Mr Khan rightly said, he is most certainly not an unsuitable boy. I have bought my copy of the book and really looking forward to reading it.