Karan Johar’s autobiography — An Unsuitable Boy, co-authored by Poonam Saxena and published by Penguin Books India — is being launched at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai on Monday, 16 January 2017. Karan’s book is being launched by his close friend and colleague of many years, Shah Rukh Khan. Incidentally, there is an entire chapter devoted to SRK in Unsuitable Boy. Of course, that not the only thing Karan has written about. Read Firstpost’s review of Unsuitable Boy here . Karan’s book is packed full with details and insights that only a Bollywood insider could provide. However, this is not a book about Bollywood — rather the film industry serves as the backdrop against which the events in his life unfold; the people he meets are part of this world. Several extracts published/leaked from the book have already gone viral. For instance, there is the chapter in which Karan talks about his sexuality . “Everybody knows what my sexual orientation is. I don’t need to scream it out. If I need to spell it out, I won’t only because I live in a country where I could possibly be jailed for saying this,” he writes. “I have become like the poster boy of homosexuality in this country. But honestly, I have no problem with people saying what they want about me.” He has also written about his falling out with two actresses — Kareena Kapoor (with whom fences were soon mended) and with Kajol (with whom they weren’t). “I don’t have a relationship with Kajol anymore,” Karan writes in the chapter “Friends and Fallouts”. “…she’s killed every bit of emotion I had for her over 25 years. She doesn’t deserve me.” The unpleasantness with Kareena (it was over Kal Ho Na Ho) fortunately ended when she made a conciliatory call; Karan’s father Yash Johar had been diagnosed with cancer at the time. “We had not spoken for nine months. She called and said, ‘I heard about Yash uncle.’ She got really emotional on the phone, and she said, ‘I love you and I am so sorry I haven’t been in touch. Don’t worry’,” Karan has written in Unsuitable Boy. Unsuitable Boy is one of those rare celebrity autobiographies that gives the impression of complete candidness. What further secrets will be revealed during the launch event? Follow our live blog to know:
Shah Rukh Khan on Karan Johar at Unsuitable Boy launch: 'He's the most beautiful person I know'
Karan Johar’s autobiography — An Unsuitable Boy, co-authored by Poonam Saxena and published by Penguin Books India — is being launched at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai on Monday, 16 January 2017.
 "Shah Rukh Khan on Karan Johar at Unsuitable Boy launch: 'He's the most beautiful person I know'")
It was Shah Rukh Khan who had the most touching words of the evening.
As he took to the stage to launch the book, he delivered an ode to his friend and colleague of many years:
“Karan’s is an extremely beautiful and important life,” SRK said. “Why ‘An Unsuitable Boy’? His autobiography could have have been titled ‘The Good Boy’. His parents would vouch for that. It could also be called ‘The Intelligent Boy’. Not in terms of Wikipedia knowledge, but Karan has the gift of knowing people inside out. It is very tough to keep up with me so I can say he is one of the best conversationalists (I have come across). His book could even have been titled ‘The Sensitive Boy’ — even I am very sensitive, so I know!”
“It could have been called ‘The Brave Boy’,” SRK continued. “He will remain the most beautiful boy I have ever seen in my life. After 25 years of work, and at 51 years of age, I feel I have truly arrived because there is a full chapter dedicated to me in his book.”
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‘Real fight’ is between Karisma Kapoor and Priya Sachdev: Sunjay Kapur's mother's lawyer says in HC: 'Rani Kapur does get impacted by it but...'On the subject of Kajol, however, Karan was less forthcoming.
“I don’t want to say anything more (about her),” he told Shobhaa. “Chapters end. Books end. Relationships end.”
Shobhaa asked Karan about his equation with Shah Rukh Khan.
“I found SRK very animated and real when I met him for the first time,” Karan replied.
Karan and his father, Yash Johar, had gone to meet Shah Rukh to discuss casting him in Duplicate.
“How SRK respected my father meant the world to me,” said Karan. “My dad started as a production assistant so his instinct made him carry the actors’ bags even when he became a huge film producer… He even asked me to lose some weight so that he could launch me!”
As Karan discussed his films with Shobhaa, the subject of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, and the infidelity it showcases, came up. Karan had this anecdote to narrate:
“When I was watching Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji’s lovemaking scene in KANK during a preview, a couple was sitting next to me. The man assured his wife that it is a dream sequence… As soon as they realised that it was actually happening in a KJo film, they left the hall!”
Quotable quote:
“People judge my sexuality because they think they own me, since I am in their living room every day as a TV personality.”
— Karan Johar to Shobhaa De
Next to speak was Shobhaa De.
“Like Karan, I have always picked winners,” she began, to laughter from the audience.
“His book is remarkably candid and courageous. He has shared his vulnerabilities and fears,” Shobhaa said.
As she took to the stage, Unsuitable Boy’s co-author and senior journalist Poonam Saxena spoke up: “Karan Johar is one of my two favourite persons to interview in the industry. It’s not tough to guess who is the other one!”
“His voice is very inviting,” she added, pointing out that Karan is the first director to write his memoirs when he’s at the peak of his career.
“It proves he is fearless and a trend-setter,” Poonam said, quipping,. “When you read the book — kuch kuch hoga, zaroor hoga!”
Celebrated filmmaker, talk show host, costume designer - @karanjohar is man of many hats. Join us to celebrate his memoir #AnUnsuitableBoy. pic.twitter.com/Uecj6CV8Rf
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) January 16, 2017
The stage is set for the grand launch of @karanjohar's memoir #AnUnsuitableBoy. Are you ready for some live updates? pic.twitter.com/ccIXhIWexT
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) January 16, 2017
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