Karan Johar shares the positive side of online trolling: 'Thank God, they’re not being...’

Filmmaker Karan Johar has been in the spotlight on social media—praised, criticised, and everything in between. But in an era where online trolling can take a heavy personal toll, Karan shared a surprisingly positive take on dealing with attacks in a recent interview.
During a chat with Barkha Dutt for Mojo Story, the director of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani opened up about the constant scrutiny he faces online—and how he views it as a sign of relevance rather than something to be upset about.
“The good thing about being trolled or attacked is that, thank God, they’re not being indifferent. I think love and hate are both forms of appreciation. Imagine if you’ve done something and no one is talking about it—that’s the worst feeling. So I look at all the negativity and assault that comes my way and think: I must be relevant. I must matter, and that’s why they are talking about me,” Karan said.
He revealed that he’s often targeted on social media for his opinions and fashion choices, but instead of letting it get him down, he embraces it as proof he’s making an impact. “Even if they’re complaining about what I’m saying, what I’m wearing, or what I’m doing, I think to myself—I must really annoy people. And then I’m like, how fabulous is that?”
Currently, Karan is captivating audiences as the host of The Traitors, a high-stakes reality series streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The show, featuring 20 celebrities navigating trust, betrayal, and strategy, will wrap up with its finale on July 3. This star-studded season includes names like Raj Kundra, Lakshmi Manchu, Sahil Salathia, Maheep Kapoor, Mukesh Chhabra, Raftaar, Elnaaz Norouzi, Jannat Zubair, Uorfi Javed, and many more.
On the film front, Karan’s Dharma Productions recently released the teaser for Sarzameen, a gripping political thriller set in Kashmir. Directed by Kayoze Irani, the movie stars Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Ibrahim Ali Khan, and is set to premiere on JioHotstar on July 25.