Karan Johar’s new show, Pitch To Get Rich, streaming on JioHotstar, has quickly caught viewers’ attention for its mix of business pitches and celebrity charm. The show features fashion-related entrepreneurs presenting their ideas to a panel of well-known industry figures, including actor Malaika Arora, designer Manish Malhotra, filmmaker-producer Karan Johar and entrepreneurs Darpan Sanghvi and Dhruv Sharma. One recent episode stood out not for the pitches, but for the playful exchange between Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra, which highlighted their decades-long friendship.
During the episode, Karan reminded a contestant that hard work alone wouldn’t earn him any extra points, calling it a basic expectation. This comment prompted Manish to jokingly chime in, pointing out that he too works tirelessly for Karan’s films but never gets special recognition. Karan responded in kind, teasing about Manish’s high compensation and successful career, and the light-hearted back-and-forth left viewers laughing.
Their camaraderie is not new. Manish Malhotra and Karan Johar have shared a close bond for over thirty years, beginning with the 1993 film Gumrah, which was produced by Karan’s father Yash Johar. Manish first met Karan on set while working as a designer and over time, their professional relationship evolved into a deep friendship. Manish has previously recounted how their connection started with small interactions on the phone and set visits, eventually leading to dinners and long conversations that cemented their bond.
Despite their closeness, Manish admits that working with Karan has not always been easy. He explained that maintaining a professional relationship alongside a personal friendship for so many years is rare, especially because Karan Johar is a strong personality and not everyone feels comfortable in letting him know if something doesn’t work. Yet, Manish also emphasised Karan’s warmth and authenticity, calling their friendship honest and meaningful.
Well, it’s really great that the Indian film industry has these two talented professionals, agree?
