Karan Johar once doubted John Abraham could act — here's what he said
Synopsis
Karan Johar once thought John Abraham was 'great on the ramp, but definitely not on screen' — and even offered him the minor role of Robbie in K3G to match those low expectations. John turned it down, went on to headline blockbusters, and KJo later apologised on his own chat show. It is one of Bollywood's more ironic casting footnotes.
Key Takeaways
Karan Johar admitted on Koffee With Karan that he initially doubted John Abraham's ability to perform on screen.
KJo had offered John the role of Robbie in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' — a part with limited screen time and few lines — reflecting those low expectations.
John politely declined the offer; the role was eventually played by actor Vikas Sethi .
Karan's scepticism was rooted in seeing John win the Gladrags modelling contest, where he served as a judge.
Karan later apologised to John on the show, saying 'I really didn't think you would ever reach this stage.' 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' released on 14 December 2001 and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its time.
Filmmaker Karan Johar once publicly admitted that he had serious doubts about John Abraham's ability to perform on screen — a candid confession that surfaced during a now-memorable episode of the celebrity chat show 'Koffee With Karan'. The revelation came when John himself brought up the very first film offer Karan had ever extended to him.
The Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Connection
The role in question was that of Robbie in Karan's landmark family drama 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' — a part that carried limited screen time and minimal dialogue. John, who would later become a prominent Bollywood name, had politely turned down the offer at the time. The role eventually went to actor Vikas Sethi.
On the show, John recalled how Karan had pitched the part to him: 'Karan so sincerely offered me the role, saying, 'It is a lovely role,' John said, recounting the exchange with characteristic candour.
Why KJo Thought John Wasn't 'Screen Material'
Karan explained that his low expectations stemmed from having seen John on the modelling circuit. He had served as one of the judges when John won the Gladrags modelling competition, and came away with the impression that John's appeal was confined to the ramp.
'I was one of the judges when he won Gladrags. I just thought that this kind of model would be great on the ramp, but definitely not on screen. That's why when he came to me, I said, 'Look, you should weigh your options, do other stuff',' Karan revealed on the show.
An Apology, and an Admission
In a moment that drew both laughter and applause, Karan went on to apologise to John for his initial scepticism. 'I really didn't think you would ever reach this stage,' he admitted — a remark that underscored just how dramatically John had defied early industry perceptions.
The admission is notable given John Abraham's subsequent trajectory: he went on to headline commercially successful films including 'Dhoom', 'Force', and several action franchises, establishing himself as one of Bollywood's more bankable solo leads.
About Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', released on 14 December 2001, was directed by Karan Johar and produced by his father Yash Johar under the Dharma Productions banner. The film featured an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor, with Rani Mukerji in an extended guest appearance. It emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its era.
The anecdote serves as a reminder that early industry judgements — even from established insiders — are far from infallible, and that John Abraham's career arc is, in many ways, a direct rebuttal of them.
Point of View
Often slotting them into decorative roles rather than testing their range. John Abraham's career, built largely on physical presence that was later backed by credible performances, is a direct challenge to that gatekeeping instinct. That the industry's most prominent insider admitted he got it wrong — on camera, to the person he misjudged — is the kind of accountability rarely seen in Bollywood's tightly managed PR culture.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Karan Johar offer John Abraham in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham?
Karan Johar offered John Abraham the role of Robbie in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,' a part with limited screen time and very few lines. John declined the offer, and the role was eventually played by actor Vikas Sethi.
Why did Karan Johar doubt John Abraham's acting potential?
Karan had served as a judge when John Abraham won the Gladrags modelling competition and came away thinking John's appeal was limited to the ramp. He admitted on Koffee With Karan that he did not believe John had what it takes to succeed on screen.
What did Karan Johar say about John Abraham on Koffee With Karan?
Karan said, 'I just thought that this kind of model would be great on the ramp, but definitely not on screen.' He also admitted, 'I really didn't think you would ever reach this stage,' and apologised to John for not believing in him sooner.
When was Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham released and who was in the cast?
'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' released on 14 December 2001 under the Dharma Productions banner. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor, with Rani Mukerji in an extended guest appearance.
How did John Abraham respond to Karan Johar's early doubts?
John Abraham brought up the original offer himself during his Koffee With Karan appearance, recalling how sincerely Karan had pitched the Robbie role to him. The exchange was recounted in a light-hearted tone, with Karan ultimately apologising for his initial lack of faith.
