If I have film for which I need Kangana Ranaut, will pick up phone and call her: Karan Johar

Karan Johar, who was recently bestowed with Padma Shri alongside Ekta Kapoor, Adnan Sami and Kangana Ranaut spoke at length about the honour he received. The ace filmmaker also reacted to be winning along with Kangana and their alleged animosity which has been under the media scanner for a few years now. KJo was all praises for Kangana during his recent interaction with Mumbai Mirror.

The director stated, "So much has been said about Kangana, me and some kind of rivalry or simmering tension. But at every public event, we’ve met, we’ve greeted each other graciously. Whatever may have been said or insinuated in print, I think I’m too old and wise to hold any kind of malice in my heart for anybody. As a filmmaker, I respect Kangana’s talent, craft, and what she brings to the table. She is an actor who has proved her mettle and is deserving of the honour. Besides Ekta and Adnan Sami, I am honoured to receive the Padma Shri alongside Kangana."

On being quizzed about working with Kangana on a project, Karan shared an anecdote about Anurag Kashyap and Ram Gopal Varma. He said, "Years ago, a lot was said about Anurag Kashyap and me in print. But when Kurbaan was being made and Rensil (D’Silva, director) told me Anurag was the best person to write the dialogue, I called him up. He was surprised but I felt if he is the best for the job, we should get him. A lot too was written about Ram Gopal Varma and me, but I rang him up for the title Bhoot and in one second, Ramu said, “Take it, Karan.” He was so large-hearted, I respect him for that."

KJo added, "Tomorrow if I have a film for which I need Kangana, I will pick up the phone and call her. Whatever the problem, whatever may have been said on social media, is irrelevant to me. I’m a filmmaker and she’s an artiste and no amount of personal bias should come in the way of that relationship. I believe in that and will stand by it."