Karan Johar takes on Twitter trolls... gets trolled by SRK

Karan Johar is one of the smarter men in Indian cinema. You don’t have to take our word for it. Take his! For a director of his calibre, Johar does receive a lot of abuse on social media, particularly the homophobic kind. So, the director took to his column on a website to write back to the trolls, and it might just be the coolest thing you will read today.

In his typically humorous fashion, Karan Johar wrote that he had been discussing these problems with his therapist (Yes, he does go to one. No big deal). “So I'm back at my therapist asking what is it about me that makes people abuse me. I understand I'm not the most masculine human being, I'm not the most macho stud walking the block, and I also understand (even if I think it's ridiculous) that if you're seen as a little effeminate, you're made fun of. And I know I can be sometimes, especially when I dance. (When I dance I forget what happens to my hands and feet, and it's a bit of a problem. You see, while in my heart I feel I'm matching Vyjayanthimala and Hema Malini step for step, I also know I'm coming across as a strange caricature of a Hindi film heroine. On acid.) Then there's the fact that I pout and I can't help it because I want to suck in my cheekbones, and then my lips protrude (and I do have kind of luscious lips), and there I am, and I can never smile for a picture again.” 

As to why social media trolls abuse him for being ‘gay’, Johar had an interesting explanation. "If I did have a six-pack to show and a great waistline to put out there to the universe or beautiful muscular legs, then I would not have to pout. The only thing I have going for me is a jawline. And dammit, I will use it! And so, ok, when I do, my eyes on their own sort shift to a half-lidded, Blue Steel type stare, but well, it goes so well with the pout," he said.

So why does he receive such merciless venom on social media? Well, Karan Johar, also known as KJo, had his own answer. According to him, "There's a particular brand of pervert just looking to hate, and they're often drowning us out in the din." And, according to the Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (1999) director, the only way to drown out the hatred is to surround yourself with "positivity and optimism".

He finished by saying he might be lonelier than some of the trolls that haunt him, but he "is just a lot nicer".

The column caught the attention of his best friend, Shah Rukh Khan, who quickly tweeted this witty and lovely message. 

To be honest Karan, with friends like these, enemies wouldn’t matter.