Karan Johar on Suhana Khan: 'Not Just a Star Kid, But a Massive, Solid Artist

Karan Johar has never been one to mince words when it comes to the people he loves. And when it comes to Shah Rukh Khan’s children—Suhana and Aryan—his admiration is heartfelt, personal, and rooted in years of observation. In a recent chat on Raj Shamani’s podcast, the ace filmmaker opened up about the immense potential he sees in the next generation of the Khan legacy.

Let’s get into what Karan Johar had to say—and why his words are more than just encouraging words. They’re a peek into two up-and-coming stars who are already making big moves.

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Suhana Khan: A Star in the Making

Karan Johar is not a man to throw around the term “tremendous” lightly, not in an industry where the buzz is generally more than the payoff. But when he used it to describe Suhana Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s daughter, his voice contained more than mere enthusiasm—it contained conviction. “I still feel, very strongly, that when audiences watch Suhana Khan… they’ll see a tremendous talent.”

Suhana has already tested the waters of acting with The Archies, but the world has yet to see her at full throttle. Karan suggested that her next movie The King, in which she acts with her father, is the true platform where she’ll emerge as an actor. Having watched her student films and the seriousness she’s brought to her craft, Karan is sure that Suhana is not another star kid—she’s an artist with serious potential.

He insisted that his love for her does not affect his judgment. Yes, Suhana is like a daughter to him, but he believes in her because of her talent.

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Aryan Khan: The Quiet Storm

While Suhana is making her entry into the spotlight as an actor, Aryan Khan is going about making his entry into a very different arena: direction. His Netflix production The Ba**ds of Bollywood is already creating a buzz, though Aryan himself keeps away from the limelight.

Karan had described Aryan as a “rare personality type,” a person who’s intensely driven but avoids attention.

“He works hard; he works 20 hours a day. He’s not anything like you’d expect Shah Rukh Khan’s son to be.”

That one line speaks volumes. Aryan isn’t attempting to fill his father’s shoes—he’s creating his own journey. Karan, having witnessed Aryan’s work firsthand, feels that audiences will be left speechless by his voice as a director. In his opinion, Aryan’s direction is not only good but also individualistic, concentrated, and miles away from derivative or safe.

“If There Is a King, There Will Be a Prince” says

One of the strongest things Karan ever said was poetic, close to prophetic:

“If there is a King, there will be a Prince.”

He wasn’t talking about Aryan’s royal heritage as Shah Rukh Khan’s son, but about the symbolic passing of the baton. The King—SRK—has reigned over Bollywood for decades. Now, the next generation is set to take over. But what’s impressive is that Aryan isn’t banking on that legacy—he’s building his own empire, one not based on fame, but on pure work ethic and imagination.

A Glimpse Into Aryan's Personality

Karan also provided a glimpse into Aryan’s temperament. Competitive, aggressive, and strongly devoted to excellence, Aryan doesn’t take failure lightly.

“Whether it was board games or sports or this huge series, he needs to win. He takes losses personally.”

It’s something many great creators possess—the hunger to do better, to grow, to never be content. Karan’s stories brought Aryan down to earth from the celebrity persona. He even remembered holding Aryan as a kid in his arms, stating, “In many ways, he’s the first-born to all of us.” Tha connect on an emotional level speaks volumes.

Karan Johar's Eye for Talent

While Karan was present to talk about Aryan and Suhana, he didn’t leave it at them alone. He talked about quite a few other young talents whom he believes in—Adarsh Gourav, Shanaya Kapoor, Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Agastya Nanda, and Vedang Raina.

He also stood up for his company against the customary charges of nepotism, pointing out that Dharma Productions has brought many outsiders into the industry over the years. But he admitted that actual credit usually goes unnoticed in the din of social media arguments.

The Khan Legacy: In Safe, Talented Hands

Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan have always believed in giving their kids the liberty to make their own choices. And now, as Suhana goes down the acting route and Aryan goes deep into direction, the Khan legacy is not only on but also changing.

Suhana’s time in The King is eagerly awaited not only due to who she is, but due to the talent industry insiders like Karan Johar observe in her. Aryan, however, will shake up the scene with his own voice and vision.