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The friendship of Bollywood ace filmmaker Karan Johar and superstar Shah Rukh Khan is well known to everyone. They have been close friends for more than 28 years and it started from the sets of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, where KJo worked as the assistant director. From roping in SRK as a debutant director with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to continuing the journey of success with Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehena and My Name is Khan, the duo has delivered some of the biggest hits of the time. Moreover, KJo has also bankrolled several projects starring SRK in the lead. Even the duo has produced several movies together. However, recently KJo picked Aamir Khan over SRK and said that no producer will allow his old friend to play certain roles.
"Aamir Khan would do..."
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, KJo talked about how Aamir Khan is a game-changer in the Hindi film industry and how the expectations of mainstream cinema prevent actors like Shah Rukh Khan from doing experimental roles.
Talking about Mr Perfectionist, KJo said that Aamir can do the experimental roles. He said, "Lagaan is one of those films that will go down in Hindi cinema’s history. In that same year, there was Gadar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Dil Chahta Hai, so that year was very iconic for Hindi cinema. There was Chandni Bar as well. But the business was Gadar. It was a mainstream film and it did maximum business that year. Lagaan won a nomination at the Academy Award, so Aamir still did films like Taare Zameen Par, Rang De Basanti and Dil Chahta Hai.
Further, he added, "He changed the texture. He also did Ghajini, which actually brought back the culture of remake in Hindi cinema. I think he is a real game changer.”
KJo talks about SRK's failure
Further, talking about his old friend, KJo reflected on his failures. The Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani helmer said, "It’s not that Shah Rukh didn’t try. He did Paheli, Asoka. Shah Rukh comes from the mindset to do different things and to make a difference."
"He never wanted to be the mainstream guy but then Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge wanted to be that quirky, mainstream star who would change the cinema. Now no one will allow it. 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," he added.
