When Karan Johar said that Shah Rukh Khan was the first man to make him feel comfortable with his sexuality

Karan Johar's admiration for Shah Rukh Khan has always been evident, with their friendship and collaboration spanning nearly three decades. In an old podcast on We Are Yuvaa, the filmmaker openly shared that Shah Rukh Khan has been his trusted confidant whenever he needed to address issues or challenges regarding his sexuality. This candid revelation highlights the depth of their friendship and Khan's supportive role in Johar's life, extending beyond their professional partnership.
Karan said on the podcast, “He was born and brought up in a very progressive environment.He comes from theatre. He had worked with all kinds of people. My parents, perhaps, weren't able to understand things. My feminine side that was coming out so strongly was only met with laughter or with being made fun of. And then when I grew a little older, people got a little quieter about it. But I could tell whether there was a slight chitter-chatter about the way I was walking or speaking. 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 were 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".
In the same interview, Karan Johar expressed, “It's what he didn't say. It's what he didn't bring up. It's what he normalised, that I sat funny or walked funny. Whenever I said campy things, he laughed. He would hang out with me, laugh with me. It isn't what he said, it's what he didn't say. It's all that matters".
Shah Rukh Khan has been a key part of all seven of Karan Johar's directorial ventures, except for his latest film, 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani'.