May 28, 2008 - Karan Johar who turned 36 on May 25 has not gone into any depression. Here is an interview which shall enable you to know the secret of his youth and why he is an ever green personality liked by every one.

You are now 36!
Do you have to remind me? Last year I remember telling you Loreal was helping me look younger. This year I cannot reveal the name of the product I'm using to look younger. I can't endorse a product

It's about the money, you see… But there're lots of products going into keeping the illusion of eternal youth alive. What do I say to you about turning 36? I'm shattered. I can't believe I'm inching towards 40.

But life begins at 40, remember?
It's the biggest lie about age. Let me tell you, life does not begin at 40. It's an illusion created by those who can't accept they're going old. I accept I'm no longer a teeny-bopper. I'm older and hopefully wiser.

Well, you seem to be making all the right moves.
I'm making all the right noises. My endeavour right now is to expand my production house. The past one year has been a really busy time for me. I've been doing everything except directing a film. That's what I'm going to do now.

At heart I remain an excited child who's been given a toy called cinema.I'm awestruck with the place I've been given in the film industry. Even today when I meet a star I admire I still feel awestuck.

I'm still a starstruck child, though I try hard to hide it. Every time I sit across Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan I've to pinch myself.

You used to be a pompous child?

I wasn't pompous. I was snobbish. I was complexed about various things including my weight. It was a bad cover-up job. If today I'm so gregarious it's because I've overcome my complexes.

Today I'm very happy to interact with as many people as possible. I can't say my life is an open book. There're chapters that I don't want anyone to read.

Really?
Oh yes, let me tell you I've many secrets. I can't call them just skeletons. They're full bodies in my closet.

You continue to go all out for Shah Rukh. Recently you came back all the way from Miami to attend Shah Rukh's first IPL match. You even postponed your own film to accommodate Aditya Chopra's film with SRK.

Yes….But isn't that a given in any true friendship? These are things I do without thinking for people I love. And Shah Rukh is much more than a friend. He's my family, a father-figure.

When he walks into a room I stand up. I respect him.In fact I'm petrified of him. And he knows it. He's not my back-slapping buddy. His wife Gauri is my friend.

She's the one I say, 'Oh shut up' to. Even in my wildest dream I can't imagine saying shut-up to Shah Rukh.

So does he look after you like a parent?
Of course he does. Always. SRK & Yash (Chopra) Uncle are father-figures to me after my own father.

Would he do as much for you as you do for him?
I want to reach a place where I don't expect anything in return for what I do. I know my relationships are strong enough to never be disappoint me. But I don't like to have expectations. I haven't been so far.

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