Karan Johar Rebukes Troll, Celebrates ‘Saiyaara’ Success as Nepotism Debate Reignites

Bollywood Heavyweight Karan Johar is once again in the middle of a heated debate, this time for standing up to online trolling while celebrating the success of newcomer-led romantic drama Saiyaara. The film, featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, released on July 18 and has since become a box office sensation, opening doors to both applause and criticism.

Set against the backdrop of youthful love and heartbreak, Saiyaara marks the directorial peak of Mohit Suri, known for his hits like Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain. Produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film collected an impressive ₹21.25 crore on its opening day, setting a record for the highest debut by newcomers in Indian cinema. With music that touches emotional chords and compelling performances, the movie is being hailed as the return of old-school Bollywood romance.

Karan Johar, who is not directly associated with the film but remains a defining voice in the industry, took to Instagram to express his overwhelming emotions after watching the film. In his lengthy post, Johar wrote,

“I don’t remember the last time I felt like this after watching a film… Tears flowing and yet the feeling of immense joy… Joy for the fact that a love story has conquered the silver screen and made the nation fall in love again.”

He described Ahaan Panday’s debut performance as “spectacular,” adding that his expressive eyes and vulnerable portrayal left a deep impression. Aneet Padda, already known from previous web projects, was described by Johar as “magical,” with her silences delivering impact beyond words. Johar gave a special mention to Mohit Suri for “making the best film of his career,” and to the music and technical teams for their undeniable contributions to the film’s atmosphere.

However, his commentary wasn't met with universal praise. One Instagram user commented, mocking Johar's praise for the debutants by calling him the "nanny of nepo kids" — reigniting the ever-burning debate over nepotism in Bollywood. The so-called "nepo bias" accusation has long shadowed Johar, whose Dharma Productions launched stars like Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Janhvi Kapoor.

But this time, Johar fired back.

“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 these two kids and do some work yourself.”)

His response sparked both support and criticism on social media, with fans applauding his no-nonsense reply, while others continued to scrutinise the filmmaker’s tendency to launch star kids. Amid the noise, what remains clear is Johar’s unwavering admiration for talent,  regardless of background.

Saiyaara, meanwhile, is fast becoming one of the biggest hits of the year. With its weekend collection surpassing ₹81 crore, it has not only brought massive attention to its young leads but also showcased that box office victories don’t always depend on established names. Both Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have expressed gratitude for the industry’s reception and the support they’ve received from seasoned voices like Johar.

Karan Johar, undeterred by critics, is now preparing for the August 1 release of his upcoming production Dhadak 2, starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi. As for Saiyaara, its resounding success is proving that sometimes, the work really can speak louder than the whispers behind it.