Says Karan Johar who has moved Shuddhi to Diwali 2016 but insists that he will release a film on Christmas 2015 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani; also discusses his equation with SRK, Salman and Imran but is mum on Kajol...

Mirror (May 28, 2014), had reported that Salman Khan may sign Shuddhi. Yesterday, the film's producer Karan Johar, made it official with a tweet saying that Salman was on board and Shuddhi will be a Diwali 2016 release.

When Mirror caught up with the filmmaker, Karan said, "Salman loved Karan Malhotra's narration. He's all instinct and heart, and reacts instantly. Once Karan wraps up Warrior in mid 2014, he'll start work on Shuddhi." But he has not forfeited his December 25, 2015 date with the theatres. He will release another film on Christmas, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani, but wouldn't say which of his directors would play Santa.

When asked if he discussed the development with Bhansali, Karan retorted, "I have a formal, civil and amicable equation with Sanjay Bhansali, nothing beyond that. So there's no reason for me to speak to him about Shuddhi. He didn't discuss the Bajirao Mastani announcement with me. We do our own thing." It is obvious that there's no love lost between the filmmakers after Bhansali allegedly poached Karan's second choices for Shuddhi, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. "I'd like to believe that a filmmaker of his stature would never resort to poaching," said Karan curtly.

"There was no formal announcement on our part, about the cast, it was all media speculation. I'm just happy and proud to have Salman. This is our first major collaboration after his special appearance in my debut film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai."

The timing is perfect. With Salman and Shah Rukh Khan having buried the differences last year, Karan won't be accused of switching sides. "I don't want to comment on their relationship. My father (Yash Johar) believed in one-on-one rapport with the fraternity and I have no issues with anyone. I've known Salman and his family all my life," he said.

Is the equation just as great, with SRK? It's been five years since their last film, My Name Is Khan, and the actor didn't even turn up on his chat show this season? "He was busy with his film Happy New Year," explained Karan, arguing that SRK's absence from his chat show was no reflection of the affection they share.


"Shah Rukh will always be a part of my banner while his banner is my home turf. His children are like my own and Gauri is my best friend. With Kareena and Shah Rukh my relationship goes beyond the work we do. Shah Rukh sees my father in me and he is a part of my life. It's sad that I have to justify this strong connect to the media," he groused.

And what about Kajol? The vocal Karan clammed up, "I don't want to comment on Kajol." The words returned in a torrent when the subject turned to Imran Khan and their fallout after Gori Tere Pyar Mein. "If anyone is to blame for the film's failure, it's not Imran, Kareena or the director Puneet Malhotra, but me. I was the oldest and wisest and failed them as a producer. Imran is a sincere, hardworking actor and I'd love to work with him again. Avantika and he are two of the nicest people I know," he said.

Tarun Mansukhani whose Dostana 2 was shelved after five years, is also reportedly in his bad books with the first draft of the Priceless remake too getting a no-no. Karan refuted this, saying that Tarun's final draft is priceless.

"And he'll go back to Dostana 2 too if we can come up with an entertaining and sensitive story," he asserted.