In one of the most sparkling sessions at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, filmmaker Karan Johar and cricketer Sourav Ganguly fielded a variety of difficult questions from Vir Sanghvi with candour and humour.

The two men have much in common – both are 34 years old and have done a great deal to put India on the international map: Ganguly as India's most successful captain and Johar as the man whose films have made the maximum impact overseas.

Ganguly spoke about his rocky relationship with coach Greg Chappell, his chances of returning to the Indian team and his assessment of Rahul Dravid as a captain, among other things.

Looking back at Chappell's allegations that Ganguly's approach to the team was "divisive", the former Indian skipper said, "Often you say things in anger. You fight with your friends too, it happens. At that time, I felt bad, but I realised that sometimes you just say things in anger."

About Chappell's statement that he was hanging on to his captaincy because he did not want to let go of his lucrative endorsements, Ganguly said, "My life doesn't depend on cricket. And captaincy has nothing to do with endorsements. Other cricketers also make money from endorsements. That statement was made out of anger."

Being captain of the Indian cricket team is a tough assignment, said Ganguly. "You hear a lot when you lose. Everyone has an opinion on the captain. You can't be sensitive. You will be criticised. You have to put the criticism behind you. It's tough to go to a press conference after you've lost. You have to develop a thick skin," he said.

Talking about Rahul Dravid as a captain, he said, "He's a great player. But you have to give him time." Asked about Greg Chappell, Ganguly said, "It seems Rahul and he are working well. I have been reading in the papers that there is more emphasis on process than results. But results are important."

As for his own chances of making it to the Indian team once again, Ganguly said, "It depends on the selectors and my performance. I have a very good chance if I can fit into the team." Rating India's chances in the World Cup, Ganguly declared that previous wins and losses do not matter – it all depends on "what you do on that particular day".

Ganguly also spoke about the Australian cricket team at some length. Referring to the recent incident when Sharad Pawar was pushed aside after the Australians were handed over the Champions Trophy, he said, "I think they were very excited because they have never won this trophy before. But yes, they are a bit arrogant."

He said the Australians had tried to 'psyche' the Indian team, both on and off the field, when they toured India in 2001. "Every day you would see columns in leading newspapers by members of the Australian team, about how good they were and how weak we were."

Ganguly decided to play it their way and started turning up late for the toss. In 2003, when the Indians went to Australia, Steve Waugh told Ganguly not to be late for the toss. Ganguly shot back, "If you behave, so will I".

Karan Johar described his own run-ins with fellow filmmaker Ramgopal Varma - with whom he has been having something of an ongoing battle in the media for quite a while now.

"Ramgopal Varma doesn't like me, I don't like him," he declared. "He said that my film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was one of the scariest films he's ever seen. I don't think he's seen a couple of his own!"

But he added that he had high regard for Varma too: "Satya is in my top ten films. I also liked Company and Sarkar. I've always said that I am an incomplete filmmaker. I could never pull off films like Lage Raho Munnabhai and Rang De Basanti. My cinema is a reflection of my lifestyle. I can make films about emotions and relationships."

Johar also spoke about his close partnership with Shah Rukh Khan. "He's a big star, he's a great actor, he's like family; why shouldn't I work with him?"

Though he has not been through as much controversy as Ganguly, Johar too has had to deal with his share of rumours.

"When I was shooting for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in New York, there were rumours that Preity and Rani were clawing at each other. It wasn't true – the two of them were so cold, they couldn't even take their hands out of their jackets!"

Apart from Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, the best actor he's ever worked with is Kajol, said Johar. "When you see her off screen, you think who is this poor child? But on screen, she just lights up. She is a complete natural." And the actor he would like to work with is Aamir Khan. "He is so restrained and understated, yet so effective," said Johar admiringly.

Asked who was the greatest player he has ever played with, Ganguly said without hesitation, "Sachin," adding, "And then Brian Lara, I thought Lara was the best captain in the recent Champions Trophy."