MUMBAI: Karan Johar may be a master when it comes to working behind the camera. But for him, facing the camera (not for a cameo like many times) for a full-fledged role is surely an uphill task. 

Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bombay Velvet’ will be a huge challenge for the multi-faceted director. Especially when it is an antagonist role, and that too alongside the country’s reigning superstar Ranbir Kapoor.

As the director is set to leave to Sri Lanka, where ‘Bombay Velvet’ will begin its first schedule he confesses that he has nervous pangs and reveals his preparations for the role of a rich, Parsi journalist. He has also hired a physical trainer for managing his physique on screen. “I hired a physical trainer to get into shape and I’m almost there,” he says jubilantly.

Thankfully for Karan, there aren’t combat scenes between him and Ranbir Kapoor. “No. I think Anurag has done his role sketches and casting pretty intelligently,” adds Karan Johar.

‘Bombay Velvet’ is a period film about how the city of Mumbai became a metropolis. Ranbir Kapoor plays a street fighter while Karan Johar plays the role of Parsi journalist, Dosoo Karaka.

Contrary to media speculations that Karan’s role is a cameo, he says it is a full-fledged role. The director-actor is quite upbeat about ‘Bombay Velvet’ and it will be his first trip to Sri Lanka he says.

He will be in the island country for 10-11 days for the first schedule of ‘Bombay Velvet’.

On the production front, Karan Johar has ‘Ungli’ lined up for release. He signs off saying that Anurag Kashyap doesn’t regret casting him. We hope it’s all in good humour. Especially when Karan Johar has put in so much of effort preparing for the role.

But for now our wishes to Karan Johar for his acting expedition.