Why KJo turned down an offer to host the Screen awards

Buzz is that Karan Johar ditched anchoring the Screen awards at the last-minute leaving the organisers in a tizzy. The producer-director was to host the event with buddy Shah Rukh Khan. Just an hour before the show, KJo informed the awards folk that at he did want to be on the dais. As a result, SRK did the act alone joined by official host Shahid Kapoor.

It is rumoured that the nth hour back-footing by KJo was because none of his productions (Kurbaan and Wake Up Sid) were garnering any honours. Though Wake Up Sid was nominated in some categories, it was not lapping up the awards.

We deserve better!
Says a source, "When Karan got wind of it, he refused to host the gala. He thought the cast and crew of his film deserved better. He did not want to be on stage and witness his projects being left out of the winners list."u00a0 Apparently, KJo had been finalised as anchor along with SRK well in advance as a promotional tool for My Name Is Khan.

KJo however maintains, "I had told the organisers a week in advance that I was too tied up and would be unable to host the show. I am extremely busy with the post-production of My Name Is Khan." He adds, "When I had agreed to host the show, I did not realise how cut-to-cut things would be with deadlines looming. It has been a rush towards getting the film's copy." The director is also busy shooting Life Kara De for Yashraj Films.

For audiences only
About not bagging any awards he says, "I respect the Screen awardsu00a0-- they are illustrious and credible. There are several awards shows and sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't. I am happy making films that are audience-based.

Apparently, KJo had even agreed to do a Koffee With Karan skit with Shah Rukh and Kajol to promote My Name Is Khan. And finally, even Kajol skipped the event. But KJo says, "I had only consented to host there was no discussion about what was to be done."