Filmmaker Karan Johar, known for helming iconic titles like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'My Name Is Khan', recently shut down a social media troll who mocked him over nepotism, a subject he’s frequently targeted for. The comment came after Johar posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, praising debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda for their performances in Saiyaara.
Karan Johar praises Saiyaara
The film, directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, opened in theatres on July 18 and has received an enthusiastic response from moviegoers. In his post, Johar not only hailed Saiyaara as Suri’s best work to date but also highlighted the strong performances by its lead pair—Ahaan, who marks his debut, and Aneet, best known for her roles in 'Big Girls Don't Cry' and 'Salaam Venky'.
Karan Johar gives it back to trolls
However, amid the praise, a troll took a jab at Johar, commenting, "A gaya nepo kid ka daijaan (here comes the nanny of nepo kids)." Unfazed, the filmmaker clapped back with, "Chup kar!!! Ghar baithe baithe negativity mat paal! Do bachon ka kaam dekh !! Aur khud kuch kaam kar (Shut up. Don’t breed negativity while sitting at home. Watch the work by two kids and do some work yourself)."
Johar’s candid retort has struck a chord with many online, especially as he continues to face criticism for launching several star kids over the years, including Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Ananya Panday.
Saiyaara doing wonders at the box office
Despite the criticism, Saiyaara has made a thunderous debut at the box office, raking in ₹21.25 crore on its first day. It now holds the record for the highest opening day collection for a film headlined by newcomers, as well as being Mohit Suri’s biggest opener and the top-grossing love story on opening day.
Set against the backdrop of an intense romantic narrative, the film marks a major milestone for its lead actors and director alike.
Karan Johar upcoming project
Meanwhile, Johar is currently prepping for the release of his next production, 'Dhadak 2'. Directed by Shazia Iqbal, the film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri in the lead and is scheduled to hit the big screen on August 1. The project is being produced under the banners of Dharma Productions and Zee Studios, alongside producers Hiroo Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, Adar Poonawalla, Umesh Bansal, and Meenu Arora.
