Aamir Khan is the most intelligent cinematic mind [in Bollywood], says Karan Johar

KJo has worked with almost every Khan in Bollywood, even the one across the border, but he has yet to work with Aamir Khan.

While hosting a Masterclass on 'How to direct a big Bollywood dream' at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on Sunday, the director talked about why he has yet to cast the PK star.

"I don't want to be the one who gave him the bad film... I'm over-nervous," confessed Karan.

"I've yet to make my Lagaan or a Rang De Basanti or a Lage Raho... which I believe are defining iconic films," he said, adding that Aamir Khan is "the most intelligent cinematic mind" in the industry, especially after his blockbuster Dangal.

He compared his contributions to Hindi cinema and feels he has yet to add something to the industry. "I may have contributed to pop culture, but I don't think I have contributed to the brilliance of cinema as yet."

The director also highlighted how the script needs to shine through in a film, not the cast and gave the example of Baahubali. "We need to reinvent... dependence on stars has to reduce, content has to take over."

"I think I should have made many more movies. You start believing that you are so important that you can't fail - nobody is that important. Cinema is bigger than all of us. Last year, I promised myself to lessen the gap, but I'm still crackling with the idea of what to make, because it's the same fear of failure, overestimation about the self that keeps popping up, which I have to fight."