It's ha ha hee hee for SRK and me

Filmmaker Karan Johar is amused to read about his new project with Shah Rukh Khan, titled Khan! "I'm still researching it. The subject is such that it requires a great deal of research," he says. He is even more amused to read about the title and 'differences' between SRK and him. When we catch up with the filmmaker, he's more than happy to set the record straight.

A glossy says that all is not well between Shah Rukh and you?
Shah Rukh and I have laughed about it. It's rubbish. He and Gauri are family. They know about everything I do and vice versa. There is no difference between his home and mine. To say that Shah Rukh and I won't work together is like saying Shah Rukh and Gauri are not married, or that my mother and I are not related! It's as cheap as that.

Apparently, Shah Rukh has taken on other projects leaving little time for your next film?
When the dates come, people will know (smiles).

What is your next film about?
I'm starting it only next year. For the first time, I'm handling a subject that requires a lot of research. This time, I am not just making a human drama. Shivani Bhatija (KANK, Fanaa) is writing the script. I haven't finalised anything yet.

Are Shah Rukh and Kajol in the film?
That's the dream cast I have in mind, but I will come out with details at the right time. At this point, I am not even saying that the film is called Khan! All I will say is that there is a married couple in the film. So far, Shah Rukh is a part of the film. Without him, I would be lost on my own sets.

Which are the other films you are making?
There's one each with Tarun Mansukhani and Siddharth Malhotra. Tarun has been a loyal member of the Dharma family and I respect that kind of loyalty. Tarun's film is a romantic comedy with an edge. I will make a big announcement on the cast soon. Siddharth is a family friend. That's a fun film again, which requires one boy and one girl in the lead. And then there's the animation film, Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai.

After your patch-up, Kareena is eager to work with Dharma Productions.
I am definitely working with her. She will soon be in a Dharma film.

What you are working on with Sameer Nair for NDTV's entertainment channel?
I am helping them creatively to structure the channel. I help them with creative inputs if and when they need it. Frankly, Sameer doesn't need much creative support. He is brilliant, and he and Sawari (his wife) are doing a superb job.

So, your presence won't be required in the office during office hours?
No. I will not be involved with administration.

'I want Himesh on Koffee With Karan' In the first season of Koffee with Karan (KWK), Johar says he was settling into the format so he only called guests he was comfortable with. In the second innings, he brought in almost anybody who matters. "I would love to have Himesh Reshammiya in the next schedule. I have lots to say to him. He is a very interesting personality. I would love to chat with somebody who's made it on his/ her own, like Rakhi Sawant. We were flooded with emails to re-telecast her episode. In the beginning, I thought I'd call her and probably laugh at her expense, but two minutes into the show,I was totally bowled over by her. Yes, she's sensa-tional. But she's frank and forthright. There's something endearing about her."