Karan Johar on Kangana’s accusations: Stop being a victim or leave the industry

Kanaga Ranaut grabbed eyeballs when she appeared on chat show Koffee With Karan and raised eyebrows for her unabashed accusations against host/filmmaker Karan Johar. She had called Johar the "flag-bearer of nepotism" and "movie mafia". While Johar did not hit back at Ranaut then, he strongly condemned the actress for her comments during an event yesterday. He was speaking with veteran film critic and anchor, Anupama Chopra at a session at the London School of Economics. 

The Ae Dil Hai Mushkil maker seems to have been too hurt by her comments. "She was my guest. So, I had to hear what she had to say. She has a right to have her opinion. When she says, ‘flag-bearer of nepotism,’ I just have to say, I am glad she knows what it all means. I hope she has understood the entire meaning of the statement because, what is nepotism? Am I working with my nephews, nieces, daughters, sons?"

Johar reminded her that he has produced films with directors having no film background. “What about those 15 filmmakers who are not from the film industry and were launched and did movies? That no one will talk about. Nobody would talk about Tarun Mansukhani who didn't come from the movies or Punit Malhotra who is a costume designer's nephew. Shakun Batra and Shashank Khaitan who come from no film background. You give these people film careers and they have a platform to stand on. That is the reverse of nepotism. But that, of course, you won’t get credit for,” lashed out Johar. 

The director also took on Ranaut's 'movie mafia’ comment. “When she said ‘movie mafia,’ what does she mean? What does she think we are doing? Sitting and not giving her work? Is that what makes us the mafia? No, I would have done that with my... Maybe I am not interested in working with her. That doesn’t make me a ‘movie mafia.’ That makes me a man with an opinion,” he said, receiving loud applause from the crowd. 

Johar also took a dig at the media for applauding Ranaut for her statements on the show. “I appreciate that she has handled great, great, great perspective and point of view. And everyone applauded her that she came on my show and ‘gave it off to Karan’ according to what they said. I am like, of course, I was gracious enough to keep everything, I cut none of it. I could have edited so much; it’s my show. I said, this is her opinion and she must say, voice it. I gave her a platform. This is my platform so I am telling you what I feel.” 

It seems the Student Of The Year director saved the biggest attack for the last. What he said next came as a stunner. "I am done with Kangana playing the woman card and victim card. I am done. You cannot be this victim at every given point of time who has a sad story to tell about being terrorised by the bad world of the industry. Leave it!”

Considering the outspoken nature of Ranaut, it will be interesting to see if she takes this lying down or hits back at Johar.

Watch Karan Johar's scathing attack on Kangana Ranaut: