Karan Johar says Shah Rukh Khan was ‘the first man’ to make him feel comfortable with his sexuality

Karan Johar has never concealed his fondness for Shah Rukh Khan. The two have been friends and collaborators for almost 30 years now.

In a new podcast on We Are Yuvaa, the filmmaker confessed that the actor became his go-to person whenever he wanted to discuss any issues or struggles related to his sexuality.

What Karan said

“He was born and brought up in a very progressive environment. He comes from theatre. He had worked with all kinds of people. My parents, perhaps, weren’t able to understand things. My feminine side that was coming out so strongly was only met with laughter or with being made fun of.

And then when I grew a little older, people got a little quieter about it. But I could tell whether there was a slight chitter-chatter about the way I was walking or speaking. I remember Shah Rukh Khan was the first, kind of like, man that didn’t make me feel lesser for some reason. I feel like he accepted what in those days were considered being pansy, being effeminate or walking funny.

He was just so cool about anything. He even had a lot of open chats with me. Whenever I had to say the biggest thing about my personality and sexuality, I spoke to him first. He was that one sense of support. Even he doesn’t realise what he’s been to me,” Karan said on the podcast.

What Shah Rukh said to Karan

“It’s what he didn’t say. It’s what he didn’t bring up. It’s what he normalised, that I sat funny or walked funny. Whenever I said campy things, he laughed. He would hang out with me, laugh with me. It isn’t what he said, it’s what he didn’t say. It’s all that matters,” Karan said in the same interview.

Shah Rukh has been associated with all of Karan’s seven directorials, except his latest Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.