He has successfully interspersed games such as cricket, football and basketball in his films. And now, Karan Johar is set to be a part of the biggest sporting extravaganza – the Olympics. VisitBritain, the British Tourist Authority, has officially invited the filmmaker to attend the opening ceremony of London Olympics, to be held from July 27 -August 12.

And although he is neck-deep in the shooting of his next, Student Of The Year (SOTY), an elated Karan will halt the shoot for a couple of days to make it to The Isles of Wonder. “Surely it gives me a great feeling. It will be exciting to witness such a breathtaking event from close quarters,” says the filmmaker.

Ask Karan about any ’special preparation’ and he says, “There’s no special effort as such because I am shooting non-stop for Student Of The Year. Although, it’s in the last leg of the shoot, I am focusing completely on it.” Johar will leave on July 26 for London and will be back in a couple of days to re-start shooting.

The filmmaker happens to be among several special invitees for Olympics opening ceremony. Others include honchos like Simon Vincent (worldwide president for Hilton hotels), Jasminder Singh (founder and chairman of Radisson Edwardian Hotels), Julie Southern (chief commercial officer of Virgin Atlantic) and filmmaker Anthony Fabian. “When the invite came up, I knew it’s a once-in-a-life-time opportunity, so I grabbed it almost immediately,” says Johar, who is also the VisitBritain brand ambassador. “I have always been in touch with them since I have shot a number of my films in the country. In fact, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham showed the city in a grand manner.”

Has he sought any suggestions regarding the trip from his friends? “Not really. I haven’t asked for any tips from anyone. I am too caught up with SOTY,” he says. We have heard his Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani actor Deepika Padukone might also be going to London. “Is it? I really hope she also goes. It’ll be great to catch up with her in London,” he adds. About reports of Kajol starring in a dance number in SOTY, he says, “She is our biggest lucky charm. If Shah Rukh and I are co-producing a film, how can Kajol not be a part of it?”