The great Karan Johar-Salman Khan rift

Karan Johar’s friendship with Salman Khan seemed doomed from the start. Remember when Salman made a guest appearance in Karan’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? It seemed as though all was fine then. But soon after then, as Karan’s friendship with Shah Rukh Khan became apparent to the entire world, Salman automatically gravitated away from all things KJo.

For several years since, the two industry biggies never crossed paths. However, in last few years, the director was seen earnestly wooing Salman. 

Two years ago, Karan offered Salman the film Shuddhi on Salman’s own terms. While Karan had his fingers crossed, waiting for a confirmation from Salman, the superstar simply procrastinated.

A friend of Salman reveals, “Salman never had any intention of doing Shuddhi. He just kept Karan hanging on for God knows what reason. But when he was with us friends he very clearly and not so politely told us he would never work with Karan Johar.”

Then came the announcement about Karan and Salman getting together with Akshay Kumar for a film based on the historical Battle Of Saragarhi. This time around, the prospects of Karan getting Salman on board seemed bright because the former dangled that extra temptation of launching Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Aayush in a Dharma Production.

Then something went horribly wrong. “We don’t know what happened, but Karan backed out of his commitment to launch Aayush leaving Salman livid. He immediately opted out of the Battle Of Saragarhi project, which will now be co-produced by Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar. The only reason Salman agreed to join hands with Karan Johar was Aayush’s launch. When Karan opted out of that commitment Salman saw no reason to stick to his commitment,” reveals a source in the know.

Salman Khan Films will now launch Ayush. This development leaves the Salman Khan-Karan Johar equation where it had been abandoned. It is unlikely that Salman will ever work in a Dharma Production again.