Karan Johar's latest avatar is that of chat-show host. In "Koffee with Karan", Bollywood's hottest director-producer will engage in "easy conversations" with his film industry friends.

Johar, whose films include the super-hits "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "Kal Ho Na Ho", disclosed in an interview that he wants to be an active producer like his father, the late Yash Johar.

He believes mainstream Hindi cinema should "return to its roots", and not lose its USP by competing with Hollywood. Although Johar was not "comfortable" with the idea of making an English film, he believed Indian stars had the talent to make it in the West.

Johar's current production, "Kaal", is a thriller starring Ajay Devgan, John Abraham and Vivek Oberoi. His next directorial venture is slated for early 2005.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Are you going to host a talk show?
A: Yes, since I'm a people's person, why not? My experiences with people helped me as a filmmaker. Now they'll help me as a chat-show host.

When STAR World came up with the idea, I said I wanted to make it light, yet substantial. The whole essence of "Koffee With Karan" is to have easy conversations with my friends from the film industry.

I want to have fun while asking questions that the world is interested in. For instance, when I interview Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol together, I know exactly what everyone wants to know.

Q: Are you directing a period film next?
A: I've put it on hold for practical reasons. When my father was fighting for his life, I decided it was too ambitious a project to take on now.

My father was a one-man army. He was the heart and soul of Dharma Productions. I don't have an iota of his ability. But I feel his presence all the time.

Q: Do you think Indian cinema can ever cross over?
A: Of course, but it'll take time. Let us take all the Western technology, but let us not try to change our format to accommodate the West. Mainstream cinema needs to return to its roots: Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan, Yash Chopra.

Q: But can Bollywood match up to Hollywood?
A: Don't try to beat Hollywood at its own game. Everyone is talking about making an animation film. But can we make it better than "Shrek"?

They can't do what we can. So let's not lose our USP. How can we run away from songs? We interrupt our narratives for songs, just as Hong Kong films gain their driving force from martial arts.

Q: Do you approve of Indian stars trying to make it in the West?
A: Of course! We have such talent! Why not grab the opportunity? Cinema is art. It cannot be confined by boundaries.

But will I direct a film abroad? No. I'm too occupied with what I'm doing here. Besides I'm not comfortable with making an English film.

Q: Why stay only within the comfort zone?
A: My new production, "Kaal", is a thriller directed by Sohan Shah, with Ajay Devgan, John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi, Lara Dutta and Esha Deol. That's something I haven't done before.

Q: Talk about your next directorial venture.
A: I'm developing a story, which I hope to direct in March-April 2005. It will be a more intimate effort. It's a creative and financial necessity.

But I want to be an active producer like my father. I want to produce films by others.

But where are the new directors? I can't take on just anyone. My production house is brand name. I can't afford to trifle with it.

Q: Would you say your next film is less of a cinematic opera than "K3G"?
A: I wouldn't call it a cinematic soap opera because the family ties reflected the reality of urban family values. The Bachchans came to symbolize the ideal upper-middle class parents.

The extravagant scale of the production was not questioned abroad because the audience there had already been exposed to a grand backdrop in "Devdas". It made no difference to them that "Devdas" was period and "K3G" contemporary.

They realized there's more to India than the so-called grassroots existence. They related to the universal emotions.

Q: But was it really taxing to make?
A: The most stressful part was directing Mr. Bachchan. It was a childhood dream-come-true.

Today, when I see his presence being taken for-granted by some of my colleagues, I want to remind them what an honour it is to direct him.

Anyone who doesn't utilize him properly doesn't deserve to be filmmaker. Amitabh Bachchan is not just an actor. He is a milestone in Indian cinema.