Renowned Bollywood director-producer Karan Johar is no stranger to the limelight, or to the darker side of fame, which often includes harsh criticism and unsolicited advice from faceless online trolls. While he typically takes such negative attention in stride, on Thursday, December 28, Johar made an exception. Taking to his Instagram stories, he confronted a particular piece of trolling that he found especially ‘offensive’.
The contentious issue began when an anonymous social media user made a suggestion that Johar should consider bringing home a ‘bahu’—a daughter-in-law—as a form of ‘timepass’, or entertainment, for his mother. With a plethora of the mogul’s responses to trolling existing only in the realm of laughter and indifference on his show ‘Koffee with Karan’, this episode was markedly different as Johar felt a need to address the deep-seated regressive notions inherent to the troll’s message.
Johar’s retort was definitive and scathing. He stressed that the term ‘bahu’ comes with unwarranted, archaic expectations, and that no person should be reduced to an object for someone else’s amusement. Johar defended both his mother’s full, rich life as a co-parent to his children and any person’s right to autonomy, untethered to outmoded societal roles. He emphasized that if he ever chose to bring a partner into his life, it would be for his own completeness, not to fulfill a societal expectation.
The intensity of Johar’s response mirrors a broader conversation in contemporary society about the evolution of familial structures and the roles of women in modern households. While progressing through the 21st century, individuals and society alike grapple with anachronistic labels and the liberation from such constraints.
On the career front, Johar’s professional endeavors continue to expand, with several projects awaiting their release. He has vested his creative energy in the upcoming action film ‘Yodha’, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Raashi Khanna, and Disha Patani, slated for release on March 15, 2024. Additionally, he is producing the cricket-themed ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’, featuring the talents of Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. His slate brims with anticipated projects like Alia Bhatt’s ‘Jigra’ and a biopic of C Sankaran Nair headlined by Akshay Kumar.
The ace filmmaker also continues to engage audiences with his hit talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’. The show’s popularity has burgeoned over its eight installments, recently graced by iconic guests such as Sharmila Tagore and Saif Ali Khan. The talk show has been a cornerstone of both Johar’s brand and celebrity culture within India, offering candid insights into the lives of the glitterati.
Karan Johar’s candid confrontation with the troll may mark a turning point in the public discourse concerning trolling and the responsibilities of public figures to challenge problematic notions. His assertiveness not only addresses his personal boundaries but also speaks to a larger, evolving societal dialogue on respecting individual choices and debunking regressive stereotypes.
In essence, Johar’s response is not just a rebuke of one troll but a statement against a pervasive attitude that trivializes the autonomy of individuals, particularly women within domestic spheres. Through his actions, Johar not only retains his reputation as an influential figure within Bollywood but also emerges as a vocal critic of regressive mindsets, encouraging a more considerate and progressive approach to societal expectations.
