Call him the "flag-bearer of nepotism" or criticise him for making films only about the filthy rich, but you cannot deny Karan Johar has got what it takes to survive in the film industry.

With his last directorial, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, he has proved that he can reinvent himself completely. In his career spanning two decades, he has given us films to remember for a lifetime, both as a director and as a producer.

What also sets Karan apart is his inimitable wit and sass. As he turns a year older, here's a look at 10 things that only he could have said:

1. I am the mother of my children. I am more of a mother than I am a father.

2. These days, hate transcends everything, not love. There is a reality check that you have to account for. Love has to be substituted with pragmatism and the order of the day.

3. A happy marriage in the industry would really jolt me. I'd be like, "You're a dinosaur, get out of here."

4. Day sex is great, especially when it's on holiday. Morning sex is even better if you can bear the person spending the night with you. 9/10 times I can't.

5. Self-pity is a spa, it's a great place to be in for a few days. Self-pity can take you through everything and then destroy you. So get out of it as soon as possible.

6. I don't believe in an aura of mystery; I love being famous! I think it's hypocritical to be in an industry like Bollywood and want privacy.

7. It's okay to be imperfect, it's okay to not resonate with the perceived reality. Life is not a Hallmark card.

8. I'm not apologetic about my sexual orientation, and certainly not apologetic about my cinema.

9. Aspiration is fantastic but delusion is not. Sensitivity runs very high in my industry, so I lie because everyone is easy to offend.

10. The greatest misconception is that I'm clever, it's all an act.

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