Karan Johar has recently faced renewed scrutiny and online criticism after a clip from a talk show went viral, featuring a discussion about infidelity. The filmmaker, along with actresses Kajol and Twinkle Khanna, shared opinions suggesting that physical infidelity is not necessarily a deal-breaker in a relationship, a viewpoint that starkly contrasted with actress Janhvi Kapoor's firm stance against it.
The segment, part of Kajol and Twinkle Khanna's celebrity talk show "Two Much," explored the topic of emotional versus physical cheating. While Janhvi Kapoor maintained that physical infidelity was unforgivable, Karan Johar, Kajol, and Twinkle Khanna expressed differing views, implying that it wasn't necessarily a relationship-ending offense. Twinkle Khanna even quipped, "Raat gayi, baat gayi (what happened, happened, move on)," further emphasizing her perspective. Karan Johar added, "I don't think physical infidelity is a deal breaker…Sometimes thand lag jaati hai,". Janhvi Kapoor responded, "No, the deal is broken. Nahi lagni chahiye, na? Blanket laga do".
This stance quickly drew backlash online, with many netizens criticizing Johar, Khanna, and Kajol for seemingly justifying infidelity. Some users expressed disappointment, accusing them of normalizing disrespect within relationships. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "They have been so conditioned to accept that as a part of their Bollywood lifestyle, that they see it as normal. Anyone saying otherwise is apparently weird, or naive or stupid".
A psychologist also weighed in on the debate, stating that forgiving physical cheating could be a form of "emotional suppression" and that "when you start justifying cheating and betrayal, you also normalize disrespect". The psychologist further explained that "Physiologically cheating triggers the same part of the brain that's activated during physical pain. That's why it hurts so much".
This isn't the first time Karan Johar has been embroiled in controversy regarding his views on relationships and infidelity. In the past, he has faced criticism for allegedly "normalizing" cheating in his films, particularly in "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," where some viewers felt the movie glorified infidelity. Some viewers felt that the characters portrayed by Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi in the film are introduced as ex-lovers and the film tried to normalize adultery through their characters.
Johar's recent appearance on the talk show and the ensuing debate have reignited discussions about his perspectives on relationships and the values he portrays through his work. While Johar has not directly addressed the recent backlash, he has previously spoken about his approach to online criticism. He stated that he views trolling as a form of validation, suggesting that it indicates his continued relevance in the public eye. He has also hit back at trolls who have made offensive comments about his life choices. In response to a troll who suggested he bring home a "bahu" (daughter-in-law), Johar asserted that such a label comes with "ridiculous regressive baggage" and that his mother doesn't need any "time pass".
