Nearly three decades into one of Bollywood’s most influential careers, Karan Johar took a moment on Guru Purnima to go back to where it all started — and the tribute he shared for Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra is as touching as any of his own films.
Johar posted a collage of himself with both men on Instagram, recalling two conversations he calls life-changing — the ones that turned a nervous assistant into one of Hindi cinema’s most bankable directors.
Table of Contents
The Story, In Short
| Moment | What Happened |
|---|---|
| The Setting | Karan Johar assisting Aditya Chopra on DDLJ |
| Adi’s Push | Told KJo at 1 AM he had to become a director |
| Yash Johar’s Question | “Beta, will you know what to do on a set?” |
| SRK’s Promise | Vowed to star in Karan’s directorial debut |
| The Result | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) |
| The Occasion | Guru Purnima tribute, 2026 |
According to Johar’s post, it was Aditya Chopra who first pushed him toward directing while he was assisting on “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” — telling him bluntly that walking away from filmmaking would be a mistake. Johar, in his own words, was “melodramatic and filmy” at the time, hardly convinced he had what it took.
It was Shah Rukh Khan who sealed the deal, promising Johar he’d headline whatever Karan directed first — a promise he followed up on with Johar’s father, producer Yash Johar, even as Yash Ji wasn’t fully sold on the idea.
That leap of faith became Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, a 1998 Hindi romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Karan Johar in his directorial debut, produced by his father Yash Johar, and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji. The film went on to become a defining blockbuster of its era and launched Johar into the filmmaking career he’s had ever since.
Johar closed his tribute simply: “I love you Adi and Bhai… You both are the only reason I can tell stories today.” It’s a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the mentorship that shaped one of Bollywood’s most recognizable voices. Technosports
FAQs
Q1. What did Karan Johar say about Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra?
He credited both as the reason he became a director, calling their support “life changing.”
Q2. What was Karan Johar’s directorial debut?
“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji.
