Shah Rukh Refuses to Work in Karan Johar's Film Because of Salman?

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly turned down a script offered by his 'best friend' Karan Johar, according to recent reports.

NDTV reported that this isn't the first time the actor has turned down his friend's offer. Johar had apparently offered "Shuddhi" to Shah Rukh, but he had 'politely' said no to it as well.

Although the filmmaker has earlier spoken at length about the kind of 'bond' he shares with SRK, such reports only state otherwise.

Calling the actor, his 'father figure', 'brother' and 'confidante', Johar recently told dialogue writer Niranjan Iyengar (on "Look Who's Talking") that he would never give up on the "Chennai Express" star. Then what's making Shah Rukh drop Johar's film offer? Is it Salman Khan's fresh friendship with the director? Only time will tell.

The fall-out of the once-upon-a-time best friends, however, was inevitable. A few years ago, when Khan's friendship with "Don 2" co-star Priyanka Chopra deepened, Johar was apparently the first one to be miffed. The superstar's wife Gauri Khan happens to the filmmaker's best friend, and to see her shattered by the news of her husband's 'close' equation with Chopra meant a lot.

However, both Johar and SRK bluntly denied the apparent cold war and went on to bond publicly. They were seen tweeting each other, dining at plush restaurants and attending award shows together. But, the twist came in when Shah Rukh wasn't invited on the director's celebrity talk show "Koffee with Karan" Season 4.

King Khan rubbished rumours of their broken friendship and reportedly said that it was 'only' because of his packed schedule that he couldn't give time to his 'best' friend's show.

Confirming the widening crack in Bollywood's strongest friendship was Johar and Salman's closeness. The "Dabangg" actor was on the sets of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" Season 6 to promote "Bigg Boss" and the two were seen bonding big time.

When asked why he hasn't roped in Salman for any of the Dharma Productions, the superstar quipped that the master director might be afraid of his 'friends'. However, Salman will be now seen in Johar's dream project "Shuddhi", which is slated for release in 2015.

The fate of the Shahrukh-Karan friendship is still dubious, but fans sure can't wait for them to re-unite for yet another blockbuster.

The duo has delivered cult films such as "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham", "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" and "My Name is Khan".