An incident that might have passed off as an innocuous skit in a comedy show has sparked an emotional response from one of Bollywood’s most prominent filmmakers. The scenario unfolded when Karan Johar, a household name in Indian cinema, was spending a quiet evening with his mother. It was during this time, as they watched television, that they came across a comedy reality show on a “supposedly respectable channel.” Here, to their surprise and dismay, a comic was seen impersonating Johar in a manner he found to be in “exceptionally poor taste.”
Karan Johar, a stalwart in the Indian entertainment industry with over 25 years of experience, took to his Instagram Story to share his feelings about the incident. He expressed his sadness over being disrespected, not by the trolls he has grown accustomed to online, but by colleagues within his own industry. He expected such behaviour from “trolls and faceless and nameless people,” but the lack of respect from peers cut deeper, signifying a troubling reflection of current times. “This doesn’t even anger me it just makes me sad!” Johar conveyed to his followers.
The comic in question, Kettan Singh, who quickly became the subject of controversy, promptly offered an apology. Despite his actions, Singh is an admirer of the director and stated that his only intention was to entertain the audience and not to offend or hurt Johar. Referencing his impersonation work, which included watching Johar’s popular talk show ‘Koffee With Karan’, Kettan Singh explained his side in an interview with Times Now.
During the segment, called ‘Toffee With Churan’,—a play on Johar’s show—the comic emulation was clear, and it was aired as part of the promo for the reality comedy show ‘Madness Machayenge – India Ko Hasayenge’ hosted by actress Huma Qureshi. The show, set to premiere on the Sony TV channel, has since caught the attention of netizens and industry insiders alike following the publication of this promo on Singh’s Instagram.
Hindi cinema, a space where Johar has established himself as a filmmaker, producer and TV personality, has always been a dynamic and sometimes unforgiving environment. From the glitzy talk shows to the high-stakes drama of movie sets, the industry is often seen as a close-knit community, but as this recent situation highlights, it is not immune to moments of friction and controversy.
Singh, who had previously mimicked Johar on another popular show, ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, has also made a name for himself in regional cinema with his role in the Marathi film ‘Vicky Velingkar’ and as a scriptwriter for the movie ‘Johnny Jumper’. It seems that his penchant for impersonation, while often well-received, has this time crossed a line that he hadn’t intended.
What followed was a palpable moment of reflection within the entertainment fraternity. The culture of parody and imitation, which has become a staple in comedy entertainment, raises complex questions about the balance between humor and respect, especially when it concerns individuals who have dedicated their lives to the craft of cinema.
Johar’s work and influence, spanning more than two decades, have rendered him a proud feminist and advocate for selecting female-led stories, something he has publicly discussed at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2023. His unexpected encounter with what he deems mockery opens a conversation about the consequences of comedic interpretations and the broader implications for mutual respect in a business built on creativity and public personas.
While the television promo has undoubtedly generated buzz for the comedy show, the ensuing dialogue between the comic, the public, and Johar himself, underscores the complexities incumbent in the entertainment world, where the line between satire and insult can often blur, carrying with it the weight of longstanding industry relationships.
