Having Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar together in a Koffee With Karan style tete-a-tete was "too tempting" an opportunity for filmmaker Karan Johar let go at the opening ceremony of the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
"We should leverage this great opportunity," Karan said as he sought Rathore's permission for an "engaging" conversation in which he "won't cross the boundary". Looking debonair in black and sporting statement spectacles, Karan sat down for an almost 20-minute chat -- sans coffee -- in which he kept showering praises on Akshay and Rathore for their achievements.
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Rajyavardhan Rathore, Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar at IFFI.[/caption]
Karan kept aside his tongue-in-cheek humour to have a straight-forward conversation, which primarily revolved around cinema and sports -- both fields that Akshay loves, and which are also part of Rathore's dual portfolios as Information and Broadcasting Minister and Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.
Akshay, whom Karan referred to as the "poster boy of socially relevant cinema that are also entertaining", spoke about Gold, which is due to be screened at IFFI as part of a dedicated section on sports films.
"I love (these stories) and enjoy them. Whatever films I make, I mean it. I am not just doing it for the sake of. I really mean it and that's why I go ahead and do it," said the actor, who has done films like Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and Pad Man.
Karan also asked Rathore that if someone had to make a biopic on him, which actor would he like to see as himself on-screen.
"I don't know about the actor, but I would certainly like to have Karan Johar as the director of the film," said Rathore. Akshay prodded Karan about a possible title, and the filmmaker quipped, Khiladi. Karan questioned Akshay about who he would like to see in his biopic, the actor named Ranveer Singh.
Well, let’s see if this ultimately turns out.
