Cinema VinesIndian filmmaker and television host Karan Johar has taken a stand against the online backlash that followed the celebrity couple episodes of his talk show Koffee With Karan. The criticism, which focused on the appearances of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in Season 8 and Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in the latest season, prompted Johar to address the issue in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India.
Johar explained that the couples were simply being honest about their relationships and that their candid conversations should not be judged. He said, “They are beautifully in love. Such good actors in love with each other,” when referring to Singh and Padukone, and added that honesty “should be appreciated.” The filmmaker questioned why the couples’ openness became a target for scrutiny, insisting that “since when should honesty be judged?”
When discussing the episode featuring Deverakonda and Mandanna, Johar warned against telling the couple how to conduct their relationship. He remarked, “Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. But when you start telling them what to do in that relationship, I have a very big problem.” He challenged the perceived sense of entitlement in the comments, asking, “Who are you? Are you a counsellor? Are you a lawyer? Are you a member of their family?”
Johar also highlighted the role of celebrity families in the online discourse. He cautioned that while public figures naturally attract opinions, their relatives should not be dragged into conversations about their personal lives. “You are commenting on their families. You can have an opinion on any celebrity. Don’t demean their families. Their families weren’t on that couch,” he said.
Reflecting on the culture of digital commentary, Johar noted that every line spoken on the show is now dissected and analyzed. He acknowledged that the internet fuels content creators and publications to generate viewership through provocative headlines, but he emphasized that everyone has a responsibility in this ecosystem. “At every given point of time, every line said is micro‑analysed,” he said, urging viewers to consider the impact of their comments before posting.
