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Karan Johar on Star Kids: Praises Suhana and Aryan Khan`s Talent and Hard Work
Updated on: 07 May, 2025 02:06 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Karan Johar
Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar, a prominent figure in Bollywood, recently shared his insights on the perennial debate surrounding "star kids" versus "outsiders" in the film industry. In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani`s podcast, Johar didn`t shy away from addressing the advantages star children might have while also heaping praise on the burgeoning careers of Shah Rukh Khan`s children, Suhana Khan and Aryan Khan.
He further elaborated that while icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan represent the "big journey of outsiders", there are also "great insiders who have done great work". For Johar, the common denominator for success remains consistent talent. He reiterated that only by being "talentedly consistent" can an actor truly progress. For those talented individuals who don`t achieve widespread success, Johar attributed it to "taqdeer (fate)".
Karan Johar expressed immense confidence in Suhana Khan`s acting prowess, describing her as a "terrific talent". Having observed her journey from her student days, he remarked, "I have seen her as a student; I`ve seen Suhana`s student films. I`ve seen the work she has put into her craft." Johar is optimistic that the audience will soon recognise her artistic capabilities, especially with her upcoming film "King", where she will share the screen with her father, Shah Rukh Khan. "I`m glad that the world will see that, on a large scale, Suhana is a terrific talent. She`s going to do phenomenally well," he affirmed, clarifying that his praise stems from a genuine belief in her abilities, not just their close bond.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Shares His Take On Insider Vs Outsider Debate At WAVES 2025
Shifting focus to Aryan Khan, Johar highlighted his dedication and unique directorial vision. "I have a strong belief in Aryan Khan`s directorial talent," he stated, emphasising Aryan`s private nature. "If there’s a king, there will be a prince... He has an individualistic voice as a director," Johar said, adding, "You expect Shah Rukh Khan ka beta hai yeh hoga, woh hoga, kuch nahi, bilkul apna banda hai woh. Quietly apna kaam karta hai woh (You expect him to do certain things since he is Shah Rukh Khan`s son, but no, he is on his own. He quietly does his work)."
Johar commended Aryan`s work ethic, revealing, “20 ghante kaam karta hai. Ussey kaam se bada aur koi kaam nahi hai. Ussey jeetna hai.” (He works 20 hours. There’s nothing bigger for him than work. He likes to win.) He described Aryan as someone who "doesn`t carry the baggage of his father; he doesn`t carry the baggage of his legacy. He is a hard-working boy... He is a rare personality type."
Also Read: Junaid Khan: Building His Own Path with Family`s Support and Selective Criticism
Karan Johar`s insights underscore his belief that while lineage might open doors, it is ultimately dedication and talent that pave the path to lasting success in the demanding world of Bollywood.
The "Star Kid" Debate: Talent vs. Opportunity
When quizzed about the perception that "star kids" receive multiple chances despite failures, unlike their "outsider" counterparts, Karan Johar acknowledged the initial advantage. He stated that star kids “get opportunities by virtue of their foot in the door.” However, he firmly added that "eventually aap hunar se muqabla nahi karsakte (you can`t compete with talent)." Johar pointed to "technically nepo kids" Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor as prime examples of "incredible talents" who have cemented their place through sheer hard work and skill.He further elaborated that while icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan represent the "big journey of outsiders", there are also "great insiders who have done great work". For Johar, the common denominator for success remains consistent talent. He reiterated that only by being "talentedly consistent" can an actor truly progress. For those talented individuals who don`t achieve widespread success, Johar attributed it to "taqdeer (fate)".
Karan Johar expressed immense confidence in Suhana Khan`s acting prowess, describing her as a "terrific talent". Having observed her journey from her student days, he remarked, "I have seen her as a student; I`ve seen Suhana`s student films. I`ve seen the work she has put into her craft." Johar is optimistic that the audience will soon recognise her artistic capabilities, especially with her upcoming film "King", where she will share the screen with her father, Shah Rukh Khan. "I`m glad that the world will see that, on a large scale, Suhana is a terrific talent. She`s going to do phenomenally well," he affirmed, clarifying that his praise stems from a genuine belief in her abilities, not just their close bond.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Shares His Take On Insider Vs Outsider Debate At WAVES 2025
Shifting focus to Aryan Khan, Johar highlighted his dedication and unique directorial vision. "I have a strong belief in Aryan Khan`s directorial talent," he stated, emphasising Aryan`s private nature. "If there’s a king, there will be a prince... He has an individualistic voice as a director," Johar said, adding, "You expect Shah Rukh Khan ka beta hai yeh hoga, woh hoga, kuch nahi, bilkul apna banda hai woh. Quietly apna kaam karta hai woh (You expect him to do certain things since he is Shah Rukh Khan`s son, but no, he is on his own. He quietly does his work)."
Johar commended Aryan`s work ethic, revealing, “20 ghante kaam karta hai. Ussey kaam se bada aur koi kaam nahi hai. Ussey jeetna hai.” (He works 20 hours. There’s nothing bigger for him than work. He likes to win.) He described Aryan as someone who "doesn`t carry the baggage of his father; he doesn`t carry the baggage of his legacy. He is a hard-working boy... He is a rare personality type."
Also Read: Junaid Khan: Building His Own Path with Family`s Support and Selective Criticism
Future Projects
Suhana Khan, who made her debut in Zoya Akhtar`s "The Archies", is set to star alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Abhishek Bachchan in Siddharth Anand`s "King", slated for a global release in 2026. Aryan Khan is gearing up for his directorial debut with the Netflix series "The Ba***ds of Bollywood", co-created by Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan and produced by his mother, Gauri Khan.Karan Johar`s insights underscore his belief that while lineage might open doors, it is ultimately dedication and talent that pave the path to lasting success in the demanding world of Bollywood.
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