The longstanding friction between renowned filmmaker Karan Johar and actress Yami Gautam has once again captured public attention following Johar’s recent public praise of Gautam’s performance in the critically acclaimed film Haq. This unexpected endorsement stirred a wave of discussions across social media platforms, bringing to light the history of alleged professional snubs and exclusionary behavior that Gautam reportedly faced from Johar in the past.
The origins of this controversy trace back several years to the promotional period of the film Kaabil. During that time, it is said that Karan Johar extended an invitation to Hrithik Roshan to appear on his popular talk show, Koffee With Karan, but notably requested that Yami Gautam not be present. The reason cited was that she was considered “not big enough” in the industry at that point. This move reportedly caused a stir, with Hrithik Roshan declining the invitation altogether as a gesture of support for his co-star, highlighting the underlying tensions between Johar and Gautam.
However, the alleged cold shoulder from Johar was not limited to talk shows. During the promotional activities for Uri: The Surgical Strike, Yami Gautam was reportedly sidelined by Johar and other judges on a reality television program. A video that went viral on Reddit showed Gautam seated on the judging panel while Karan Johar, Malaika Arora, and Kirron Kher appeared disengaged, focused on their mobile phones rather than interacting with her. The situation escalated when Gautam was reportedly excluded from a group photograph, further fueling speculation about the strained relationship.
Fast forward to recent times, Karan Johar took to social media to express his admiration for Haq, a film that tells the powerful story of Shazia Bano. Johar shared an emotional message, stating that the film moved him to tears and left him speechless. He applauded the movie’s empowering narrative and lamented that he missed the chance to watch it in cinemas. This public acknowledgment, while positive on the surface, quickly reignited debates online, with many netizens accusing Johar of being “double dholaki”—a term used to describe someone who is two-faced—pointing out the contrast between his past behavior and his current praise.
This episode highlights the complexities of relationships within the film industry, where professional dynamics often intertwine with personal sentiments. The renewed focus on Johar and Gautam’s history serves as a reminder of the challenges actors face in navigating industry politics and the impact of public perception on their careers. As the conversation continues, many are watching closely to see if this marks a turning point in their professional rapport or simply a momentary gesture amidst ongoing tensions.
