Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar has made a stern statement against a developing culture of podcasts that feed on negativity and sensationalism. Posting on Instagram Stories on Saturday night, Johar was worried about podcasters having irrelevant guests and astrologers to make provocative statements for attention.
In his message, Johar stated, "While I have utmost respect for credible and respectable members of the media! One sub-culture of podcasters (essentially chat shows with new terminology) who have come out of the woodwork… woods that no GPS can find… they invite guests who stand to lose nothing. Who haven't been invited since World War 2, and those guests spew vitriol and say the most disrespectful things about diligent and legendary members of our fraternity!"
The director also criticized the practice of relying on psychics and astrologers for shock value, saying, "This has to stop! Also psychics and astrologers giving terrible and frightening revelations even on people's impending demise is insensitive and disgusting! Free speech? Yes. Followers' clickbait? No!!"
Although he stopped short of identifying a specific podcast or host, his comments resonated with broader issues in the industry regarding how online talk shows typically cross ethical lines in order to make headlines.
Karan Johar himself is familiar with the podcast and talk show genre. His own popular ongoing series Koffee with Karan was a cultural sensation for honest celebrity interactions. Johar has also featured in numerous podcast-like interviews where he shared about films, his personal struggles, and his opinions about the film business.
But his latest statement indicates an evident distinction between constructive dialogue and toxic sensationalism. While Johar has frequently adopted online platforms to connect with users, he appears hesitant of a rising subculture that values controversy over authentic dialogue.
On the professional front, Johar co-produced Dhadak 2, which hit screens on August 1. The film, featuring Triptii Dimri and Sidhant Chaturvedi, is a remake of the much-appreciated Tamil drama Pariyerum Perumal. He also received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment this month for his directorial Rocky Aur Rani kii Prem Kahani.
Reinforcing his on-screen presence, Johar is going to feature in Aryan Khan's directorial venture The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which launches on Netflix on September 18. The teaser has already generated buzz featuring Johar's sizzling cameo.
Johar's remarks are likely to raise eyebrows across Bollywood and beyond as the popularity of podcasting continues to expand the boundaries between entertainment and disinformation. His position resonates with an increasing demand for responsibility in online content, encouraging platforms to prioritize sensitivity over sensationalism.
