So before he plunged into direction, after a break of three years, with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in London, SpotboyE.com darted 5 questions a la mode to KJo:
You're the only director who has featured frequently on covers of fashion magazines. Is this a dream come true?
I'm thrilled to be on the cover of any magazine. Once, I thought I was too large to fit into any frame. I'm a human triumph. From a 42-inch frame as a kid, I got my waist down to 33 inches. Although I was majorly fat at the age of 15, my mom believed I was very good-looking. Moms are blind to their children's looks, I guess.
Have you ever counted the number of clothes in your wardrobe?
Oh God, I dare not. Going even by the number of shoes I have, I could well be India's Imelda Marcos. And I have more clothes than the hair on my head. At my earlier apartment, my surplus clothes were even stacked in the kitchen. Whenever I've felt low, I've rushed for retail therapy.
Is this some sort of disorder? What if you were to talk to a shrink about this?
Ha! I'd tell the shrink that I was once fascinated by Rishi Kapoor's double knit sweaters. Honestly, no shrink could counsel me on this subject. At most, I'd end up dressing up the shrink more stylishly.
You've designed clothes. Ever thought of opening a shopping mall for your exclusive designs?
Heavens, no! I'd lose that delicious pleasure of walking into malls. But no seriously, fashion can't be my first objective. I direct films every two to three years and produce films. Hopefully, I've struck up a pretty decent track record.
Don't you feel that you're 43-year-old going on 23? You always dress young.
That's better than being a 23-year-old going on 43. I've altered my style with time and age. I'm still brand-conscious. There's an entire new world of fashion for the young but I opt for the classic brands. My dad (the late Yash Johar) would never wear pret-a-porter. I fashioned my look in Bombay Velvet inspired by my dad's bespoke tailored suits. I can never be accused of being flashy. If there's one proverb I really like, it's 'Clothes maketh the man'.