Salman Khan's off-the-cuff statement calling "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" a 'pakao' (dull and exasperating) film has left "K3G" director Karan Johar baffled and hurt.

"Did Salman really say that?" wonders Karan, currently in London after accompanying friend Shah Rukh Khan to Amsterdam for a concert. The news that Salman has spoken cheaply about his film had filtered back to Karan.

"I don't know what Salman means by pakao. I presume he didn't like my film. That's okay. A lot of people didn't like my film. It's a free and democratic world. But are you sure he spoke like that?" Karan sounds disbelieving.

"It doesn't matter. I'll always be fond of Salman. He was an integral part of my first film ("Kuch Kuch Hota Hai"). And I can't forget how generously he stepped in when I desperately needed him for the role. And his dad Salim Saab (scriptwriter Salim Khan) was very close to my dad. In fact, Salman's family has always meant a lot to us."

Karan is a bit puzzled by the reference to "K3G" vis-a-vis Salman's new release "Phir Milenge".

"There's absolutely no common ground between my film and 'Phir Milenge'. They belong to entirely different genres. But I'm sure Salman has a very good reason for bringing up my film while talking about his film. I've seen 'Phir Milenge'. It's a beautiful film. Shilpa, Abhishek and Salman...all three are really heart warming. In fact Salman moves you to tears. It's a truly memorable performance. And I wish him all the best."

Though Karan Johar hides his hurt in dignity it's quite clear that he hasn't quite come to terms with Salman's crisp vitriolic. Mutual friends from the industry feel this was Salman's way of hitting out at Shah Rukh Khan, with whom he fell out some time ago.

Karan is currently working on the script of his next directorial venture which he promises would be "totally unexpected". "All I can say is it takes me to an entirely different orbit of creativity."

He's surprised and delighted by the two music-related National awards for "Kal Ho Na Ho". I point out that not all of the music was original. One tune ("Pretty Woman") was officially taken from the soundtrack of the Julia Roberts film "Pretty Woman."

Karan laughs, "I'm just happy that 'Kal Ho Na Ho' got the two awards for Sonu Nigam and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. For my next production 'Kaal' I've taken on a bunch of composers Sandesh Shandilya, Shankar-Ehsan-Loy and Anand Raj Anand. And yes I've again bought the rights of an American pop song, the famous 'Eye Of The Tiger' track from the film 'Rocky' by Survivor."