Karan Johar slammed for comments on killing off Anushka’s character in ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'

 

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar is no stranger to controversy. After becoming embroiled in a row over Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul stemming from his show Koffee with Karan, Johar has landed himself in hot waters again for his comments about Anushka Sharma’s character in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Johar, in a recent interview with HuffPost, said the reason he killed off Sharma’s character Alizeh in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is because she could not reciprocate the love Ranbir Kapoor’s character Ayan Sangar had for her in the film. 

“He loved her so crazily. She could’ve loved him back, why couldn’t she? So she got cancer and she died,” said Johar.

He also spoke about his views on guilt tripping someone who did not love you back. “Oh, it’s a great feeling! I want to tell you that there is no right or wrong in the emotional half of a human being. This is how we behave and every emotion that can be faulted—jealousy or envy—the fact is that it exists,” said Johar. 

People on social media are calling out the absurdity in his statement. 

One user wrote, "Karan Johar saying he killed off Alizeh in ADHM because she didn’t love Ayan and chalking it off as karma is disgusting because we still live in a day and age where women are constantly attacked or killed for not reciprocating feelings and we are NOT going to romanticise that.”

While another one said, “Karan Johar finds KKHH & K3G silly & idiotic, which were far less problematic & better than most movies in that era but goes on to defend this shitty ADHM where a guy in 2016 fails to understand consent. He is just another guy who can't take a 'no'.”

Many were just left dismayed at the warped romanticisation of one-sided love.

Are you kidding me? No wonder sexual assault, harassment (“eveteasing”) and unhealthy emotional dependency is so common. Mainstream Hollywood director celebrating manipulation in relationships. (Not surprised that it’s Karan Johar tho).”

Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma and Pakistan's Fawad Khan, the romantic drama was released in 2016. The film turned out to be a box office hit and later won four awards for its soundtrack at the 62nd Filmfare Awards.