On Guru Purnima, filmmaker Karan Johar posts an emotional message crediting Yash Raj Films head Aditya Chopra and actor Shah Rukh Khan for helping shape his career in direction. He recalls that a key turning point came when Aditya suggested he assist on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, arguing he was “meant to be a director.” Karan says the conversation affected his plans for further studies and led him to ask his father for “a year of my life” to pursue filmmaking. He also recounts advice from his father, Yash Johar, who distinguishes between becoming a producer and becoming a director, saying direction requires “only and only passion.”
Karan further describes a conversation with Shah Rukh Khan during a trip to Switzerland, where SRK tells him he will become a director and promises that his first film will be done by him. Karan adds that SRK later followed up on the promise by speaking with Karan’s father after they returned to India. Across the accounts, Karan says the belief and encouragement from both men are why he is able to tell stories today.
