Lights. camera. talk!

Karan Johar is a man of many words, most of them brilliant. In Dubai to launch NDTV Imagine channel as its brand ambassador and creative consultant, he smiles warmly, talks readily and answers every question straight on.

Excerpts from a freewheeling interview with one of B'wood's brightest directors:

Filmmaker, TV host, designer... who is the real Karan Johar?
Filmmaker, undoubtedly. Everything else is a hobby. That's where I want to be - behind the camera. Most mothers are delusional about their children. When I was very young, my mother said to me, ‘you are so good-looking, why don't you become an actor or a model?' That's when I took two decisions. One, never trust what she says. Two, never take her career advice [laughs]!

What do you feel is so special about being a filmmaker?
I think it's the biggest power anyone can have. You get to create a whole new universe full of people who talk and behave the way you want them to!

What do you think of the current trend of stars anchoring TV shows?
I think cinema is a way into people's hearts and television is a way into people's rooms. Cinema touches you much more at a gut and soul level. I don't think this trend is here to stay. You start seeing a star on TV and he becomes like a member of your family. [Leave Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh out of this - they are iconic.] How much star power will a star have if he's constantly in your home?

Television makes a star out of regular people. Very rarely will you see a Smriti Irani be a big draw on the big screen... Herd mentality is continuous and constant and that's why you're seeing movie stars now on television.

Who is your closest friend in the industry, apart from Shah Rukh?
Shah Rukh Khan is not a friend, he is like an elder brother, a father figure, in my life. I'm petrified of him. I stand up when he comes into a room. I give him all the respect and deference due to a father or an elder brother. His wife is my close friend.

My best friend in the industry is Aditya Chopra.

Who do you think is the best hero in Bollywood today?
I'm totally biased [laughs], but I like to think my bias is based on genuine reasons! It is Shah Rukh Khan. He is the most spontaneous and brilliant mind I know. Genius that is so spontaneous is higher than genius that is thought out and deliberate. When he walks on to a set he makes that set, that scene and those people come alive.

Who is the best heroine?
Kajol. No one else. Here there's lots of talent... the very way she connects with you... Literally, her eyes speak more than she does.

What is the secret of the Shah Rukh-Kajol chemistry?
When the cameras go off, they are actually like buddies. They giggle and cackle together. They're totally comfortable in each other's space. They are just brilliant actors. Chemistry on screen is a very complicated thing. An actor could be with his wife and the chemistry may not work!

What is your best cinema moment?
The song Bole Chudiyan in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, where Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan take that one step together. Three generations of superstars in my frame... made me feel maybe I was someone who could make things happen!

What do you feel is your worst cinema moment?
I was so scared when Shah Rukh walked on that wall in Kal Ho Naa Ho. I couldn't even look at that shot. I was petrified of an accident... You know, it was worse than it looks on screen!

Which is the one film you wish you had made?
Lagaan. Rang De Basanti. Lage Raho Munnabhai. Wish I could remake Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna...

Who's your biggest competitor?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He's in my headspace. I feel he's a genius... I need to watch out.

Tell us something about your next film My Name Is Khan...
Too early... But I can tell you the film's title is My Name Is Khan and Shah Rukh is Khan [laughs]!

Rapid-fire round
Karan Johar makes some quick choices:

Big B or SRK?
You don't choose between legends. So, both.

Sridevi or Madhuri?
Sridevi.

Mallika Sherawat or Rakhi Sawant?
Rakhi Sawant always. She's simply fabulous!

Ranbir or Imran?
I like them both. I've seen Imran's film and he's very talented. Let's give them both some more time...

Deepika or Sonam?
Deepika. But then Sonam also has huge potential.

Tragedy or comedy?
Tragedy.

Soulful singing or song-and-dance?
Background song. Finally, the end of the lip-sync.