Bollywood’s most outspoken filmmaker, Karan Johar, has once again sparked headlines, this time, not with a film announcement or starry party, but with a scathing takedown of podcasters and the growing “clickbait culture” surrounding celebrities.
Recently, KJo took to social media to voice his anger at what he called “insensitive and toxic” trends dominating digital platforms. He pointed out how podcasters, hungry for views and virality, often rope in guests with little credibility to casually gossip about actors, their personal lives, and even their families. What irked him the most was the recent trend of calling astrologers, tarot readers, and self-proclaimed experts who go as far as predicting the lifespan of Bollywood stars.
“This needs to stop!” Johar wrote, labeling such predictions not only “irresponsible” but also “deeply insensitive.” According to the filmmaker, these sensational claims create unnecessary fear and trauma for actors and their families, while feeding an audience that is constantly craving drama over facts.
In an industry already struggling with intrusive paparazzi culture and social media trolling, Karan’s statement comes as a reminder of the fine line between entertainment and exploitation. The filmmaker, known for his blockbuster movies as well as his candid chat show Koffee With Karan, has himself been a favorite target of online gossip. But this time, his fury resonated with many in the film fraternity who feel that boundaries are being crossed under the garb of “content creation.”
Insiders suggest that Johar’s post was triggered after a viral podcast clip showed an astrologer making chilling predictions about the fate of a leading Bollywood star. Fans too expressed shock, questioning why such “dark” content is even allowed to trend. Adding weight to his voice, journalist Namrata Zakaria came forward in support of KJo, backing his criticism of toxic podcast culture.
By openly slamming the culture of clickbait, KJo has once again put the spotlight on the ethics of digital entertainment. His message was loud and clear, respect the artists, don’t reduce their lives to reckless headlines.
As Bollywood gears up for a festive season of big releases, one thing is certain, Karan Johar isn’t afraid to call out the toxicity lurking in the name of “entertainment.” And judging by the reactions pouring in, many agree that this wake-up call was long overdue.
