Karan Johar was recently present at the launch event of Satyarth Nayak‘s book Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess, based on the late actress’ prolific career. The director has often spoken about being a huge fan of Sridevi and her films; even though he never got the chance to direct her.

As some of you may know, KJo’s home production, Kalank originally starred Sridevi in the role of Bahaar Begum, which was eventually played by Madhuri Dixit. The film, unfortunately, turned out to be a box office disaster.

At the launch event, Karan expressed his relief about never directing Sridevi as he wouldn’t have wanted to give her a failure.

I am not sure if I would have been the best director for her because I would have been too much of a fan. And somewhere a filmmaker has to be very objective about his or her work. And fandom can make you lose objectivity and I think I would have lost complete objectivity. So I am glad I never directed her as I would have given her a failure, which she did not deserve.

Sridevi was touted to be the country’s first female superstar. She touched many people’s hearts with her performance and the void she left can never be filled.