Director Karan Johar opens up about his sexuality in the finale of a web series on YouTube, 'Be a Man Yaar'. Hosted by Mumbai-based writer, and entrepreneur Nikhil Taneja, all episodes of the series are now available on YouTube. He got candid about having more female friends, struggles in coming to terms with his sexuality and experiences that shaped his childhood.
Johar said, ''I remember Shah Rukh Khan was the first, kind of like, man that didn't make me feel lesser for some reason. I feel like he accepted what in those days was considered being pansy, being effeminate or walking funny''.
''He was just so cool about anything. He even had a lot of open chats with me. Whenever I had to say the biggest thing about my personality and sexuality, I spoke to him first. He was that one sense of support. Even he doesn't realise what he's been to me,” he added.
“He (Shah Rukh) would hang out with me, laugh with me,'' Johar said. He also said that his family didn't understand the feminine side of him. Johar revealed that while growing up, he was made fun of as his feminine side came out strongly. The filmmaker also recalled that he got a 'reality check' when in 10th std., he pretended to be in love with a girl. Johar also revealed that Shah Rukh was the first person he went to when he wanted to discuss struggles related to his sexuality.