Renowned filmmaker and producer Karan Johar once again found himself at the center of the ongoing Bollywood nepotism debate. This time, it was after he publicly praised Mohit Suri’s latest romantic drama Saiyaara, which stars debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. In a detailed Instagram post, Karan Johar hailed the film’s storytelling, emotional depth, and performances, calling it some of Mohit Suri’s best work and applauding the fresh energy brought in by the lead actors.
While many appreciated Johar’s review of Saiyaara, a troll took the opportunity to take a dig at him by calling him “nepo kid ka daijaan” a sarcastic phrase implying he is overly protective and promotional towards star kids. Known for usually brushing off such comments with grace or humor, this time Johar responded directly and bluntly. In his reply, he wrote, “Chup kar… aur khud kuch kaam kar” (Shut up… and go do something yourself). His response quickly caught attention, with many of his fans applauding his no-nonsense comeback.
Karan Johar has long been associated with launching and supporting star kids in Bollywood, from Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan to Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. While he’s been at the receiving end of criticism for promoting nepotism, Johar has consistently maintained that talent should be the ultimate yardstick, not family background. His backing of Saiyaara and its young leads reflects his continued belief in giving opportunities to newcomers, whether they come from industry families or not.
In his post, Johar praised not just the acting but also the film’s music, direction, and technical brilliance, emphasizing that Saiyaara stands out for its emotional storytelling and heartfelt performances. He highlighted how Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda bring authenticity and freshness to the screen, reinforcing his admiration for Mohit Suri’s directorial finesse.
Karan’s response to the troll reflects his broader attitude towards the industry’s criticism: rather than engaging endlessly with negativity, he prefers to focus on the work and encourage others to do the same. His message was clear, contribute, create, and uplift, rather than waste energy on pointless trolling.
With Saiyaara gaining positive word of mouth and attention, Johar’s support adds significant weight to the film’s early buzz. His clapback serves as a reminder that while debates on nepotism continue, talent and dedication remain at the heart of filmmaking.
