Karan Johar recently opened up about a dilemma many of Bollywood’s biggest stars face—balancing their superstar image with the desire to experiment with offbeat roles. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Karan pointed out that actors like Shah Rukh Khan often steer clear of experimental films, not because they lack interest, but due to the immense pressure from audiences to maintain their larger-than-life personas. Johar, who has worked closely with Shah Rukh throughout his career, defended the superstar’s attempts to branch out.
“It’s not that Shah Rukh didn’t try,” he said. “He did Paheli, Asoka—films that were very different from his usual repertoire.” Karan explained that early in his career, Shah Rukh showed a strong desire to break the mold, working with directors like Kundan Shah, Ketan Mehta, and Mani Kaul.
“He wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who would change cinema,” Karan reflected. A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) However, Shah Rukh’s career took a decisive turn with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a film that cemented his place as the king of romance. “He never wanted to be the mainstream guy but then Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge happened and we all made love stories with him there after.
He wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who would change the cinema. Now no one will allow it. When say Shah Rukh Khan now, the names 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 theatre. A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) On the other hand, Johar lauded Aamir Khan as a “game changer,” highlighting how Aamir has consistently broken away from the conventional mold.
“I think he is real game changer,” he said, citing films like Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, Rang De Basanti, and Dil Chahta Hai as examples of Aamir’s commitment to pushing boundaries. Despite Aamir’s recent setback with Laal Singh Chaddha, Karan remains optimistic about his future projects. Aamir is set to return to the screen with Sitaare Zameen Par and has also produced Laapataa Ladies, which has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan delivered two massive hits in 2023 with Jawan and Pathaan, reaffirming his dominance at the box office. He’s now preparing for his next project, The King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, which will also star his daughter, Suhana Khan..
