Karan Johar on turning SRK's designer...

KBC 3 goes on air on January 22, and no one's more excited than Karan Johar.

After all, best buddy Shah Rukh Khan will sporting threads designed by the stylish director. Here, Karan shares nuggets about designing for the superstar and his inspiration behind SRK's look for the mother of all television shows.

Whose idea was it that you design for SRK in KBC3?
It was my idea, of course! I don't know if the producers wanted me or not, but they didn't have a choice. I jumped into the fray. SRK and I have a standing joke that if he ever gets nominated for the Oscars, I will design his outfit and he will take me with him for the event. I would love to attend.

Tell us about the look.
KBC3 is an evening show, so the clothes can't be in-your-face or overly flamboyant. It's a quiz show and not a talk show, where one is required to look glamorous. The focus is not on his clothes but Shah Rukh, the man, the show and the contestants. Yet, Shah Rukh's look is very classic, simple and stylish. The idea is to blend in with the settings.

What about the colours?
They are not light colours, but have deeper tones. We have given him skinny ties to wear in all the episodes. Skinny ties are slimmer than normal ties and are back in fashion today. The colour pink is the new white for suits, and you will see a touch of pink in the first episode. There is also some minor detailing work on every suit.

Will SRK be wearing Indian formals?
Yes, if it's an auspicious occasion and if there is a need for an Indian outfit. Otherwise, it will be dapper suits. The style is structured and set in clean lines - exactly what Shah Rukh represents.

Did you watch KBC when Amitabh hosted it?
Of course! Who didn't watch his show and who isn't a fan?

You were never on KBC. Will that change now?
If I haven't been on the earlier shows, it's because I'm afraid. I'm not sure if I want to expose my lack of general knowledge on national television! I like people to think I am intelligent. Appearing on KBC might expose people to the fact that I am actually quite dumb!

Rate SRK as a host on a scale of 1 to 10.
I have to see the first episode, but I'm hoping he'll be a 10!

When did you start designing for SRK?
When I first went on the sets of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, I used to feel like an outsider. Adi (Aditya Chopra) sensed my nervousness and asked me to take on the task of designing costumes for Shah Rukh.

Besides directing and producing, another career option was designing outfits. I thought if I designed Shah Rukh's outfits in DDLJ well, I would become his personal designer. It was my dream to become his designer. After DDLJ released, it was different story as I became a filmmaker.

You've designed SRK's outfits in all his films?
Yes. I have styled Shah Rukh for all his films and photo-shoots for over 10 years. From DDLJ, Dil Toh Pagal Hai to Main Hoon Naa. Currently, I am designing for his home production, Om Shanti Om. In KBC3, I am being aided by designer Shiraz Siddique who began with me from K3G. We have worked in tandem to style SRK's ensembles. Now, Shiraz has turned independent and has also designed Shah Rukh's look for Chak De. He has also styled Shah Rukh in the music video for KBC3 (to air shortly) and will be taking over Shah Rukh's designing from now.

Does that mean you've quit as his designer?
Not at all. Everything will always be run by me first.

Is SRK fussy about his clothes?
Not at all. He's the easiest person in the world to dress. Whether you give it to him on a platter or a hanger, Shah Rukh never interferes or argues. To him, clothes are the least important aspects. He says he's an actor; what he wears should be incidental.

Don't you feel odd when people call you SRK's designer?
No way! Some people find it odd that being a filmmaker I design Shah Rukh's outfits, but frankly, I love it. It's my hobby and I enjoy it tremendously. I had so many little dreams when I started out: designing for Shah Rukh, being a talk show host, anchoring, directing films... and all my dreams have been fulfilled. How many people get that opportunity?