Karan Johar
Karan Johar

On every episode of Koffee With Karan, it’s usually Karan Johar doing the grilling while his guests sit on the other sofa and (sometimes unintentionally) spill some secrets about their life. This particular episode, though, with Akshay Kumar, featured the tables turning somewhat. Not only did Akki put KJo through a rapid fire of his own, but earlier on in the show, Karan even revealed something big: the name of the only woman in his life who he was in love with.

While speaking to Akshay, Karan said, “The only woman in my life who I thought I was in love with was your wife. I was madly in love with her. I named my character in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Tina because I was in love with her.

Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar
Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar

Karan knew Twinkle Khanna (who he calls by her actual name, Tina) since they were six years old. The two attended the same boarding school, and KJo even told this funny story where Twinkle convinced him that he had no reason to stay at the school and should escape instead. She gave him a full plan and told him which road to take, but didn’t mention that there would be a watchman on the way! So Karan ended up getting caught by the watchman, who took him back to the school. And as you can imagine, it didn’t end too well for Karan, who had to stand in front of the assembly and be used as an example for the rest of the students.

Thus began their friendship, and, several years later, Karan ended up offering the role of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Twinkle – since he wrote it for her and even named the character Tina after her. However, Twinkle said she would take three days to decide, and then declined the role after that period. Now, Karan says she claims that she “created Rani Mukerji” and was a terrible actress herself so Karan got “saved.” That’s the kind of candidness that both Karan and Akshay love about her.

Later on in the show, during Karan’s rapid fire, he was asked which star wife he would want to be married to. The host replied saying, “Tina. Undoubtedly she is the first love of my life.”

Psst! Make sure you also stay tuned for our full round-up of the show, coming soon!