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“Did you watch Salaam-e-Ishq?” filmmaker Karan Johar is curious to know whether we liked his performance in former assistant Nikhil Advani’s recently released film.

The length is a problem (3.35 hours), we inform him. “Yes I know, they should cut it down,” says Karan. That should put to rest all speculation of a Karan-Nikhil rift.

He is in no mood to cut short the conversation on Nikhil, who directed Kal Ho Na Ho. But we are keen to chat about his talk show, Koffee With Karan, that’s back on Star World on February 11.

Karan says that he will be more relaxed on the second leg. The first leg being a success, is Karan feeling the pressure? “I have lost two kilos doing the show,” he says jokingly, adding on the same note, “Sequels in Bollywood are working and I hope my show, too, meets with success.”

More seriously, Karan says that this time around there will be more energy on the show and that’s what people can look forward to since they are already aware of the format.

“I am also a little more easy in front of the camera. I was a bit stiff before if I may be critical about myself,” he says candidly.

Karan is back with his show around the same time Shah Rukh Khan is doing Kaun Banega Crorepati. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it Karan? “Yeah! It’s quite funny. Both of us have worked so much together and now we are going to two different TV studios for two different shows, fortunately for the same media group, Star,” answers Karan.

As ever he is ready to support Shah Rukh, this time over the comparison with Bachchan. “You really can’t choose between legends. Shah Rukh is being himself — endearing and funny — winning the hearts of millions,” he says and rubbishes claims that he’s sandwiched between Shah Rukh and Bachchan over a rift between the two.

“I have my own relationship and affection for everybody. Amit uncle is a father figure to me and Shah Rukh is like a brother,” he says. Coming back to the show, Karan says the interesting combination of guests will be one of the USPs.

The first episode, he informs, will be with Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani Mukerji — “It was very emotional since they starred in my debut film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai nine years ago. And Mallika Sherawat with Sanjay Leela Bhansali — two people with different backgrounds who have nothing in common should lead to tremendous amount of energy,” says Karan whose other guests include Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor and Richard Gere.  

Rapid Fire round with Karan Johar

1. Amitabh or Shah Rukh as KBC host: You don’t choose between legends
2. Abhishek-Rani or Abhishek-Ash on screen: Abhi-Ash I thought they were fantastic in Guru
3. Kajol in Dushman or Preity Zinta in Kya Kehna: Kajol in Dushman
4. Cast of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai remake: The same cast (they are still so young and look so superb)

digantaguha@hindustantimes.com