Karan Johar Slams Trolls Calling Alia Bhatt 'Nepo Kid': 'You've Got To Be Most Idiotic Person'
Last Updated:
Alia and Karan share a mentor-mentee bond that has only grown deeper over the years. Karan has often referred to her as his 'first daughter'.
Karan Johar has come out in support of Alia Bhatt, addressing the constant nepotism allegations the actress faces. Johar, who launched Alia in his 2012 directorial Student Of The Year, has often been accused of favouring her and pushing her career, a claim he has repeatedly denied.
In a new interview with Baradwaj Rangan for Galatta Plus, Karan didn't hold back when asked about Alia being labelled a 'nepo kid." He said, 'Have you seen Highway? Have you seen Udta Punjab? Have you seen Raazi? Have you seen Gangubai? Just see her movies. If you are still calling her a nepo kid, then you've got to be the most idiotic person on this planet. And no one can help you."
Alia and Karan share a mentor-mentee bond that has only grown deeper over the years. Karan has often referred to her as his 'first daughter" and has never shied away from expressing how emotionally invested he is in her journey.
The backlash intensified during the recent season of Koffee With Karan, where netizens criticised him for frequently bringing up Alia in conversations and calling her the best actress in the country.
In an earlier interview with ETimes, Karan spoke about his emotional connection with Alia. 'She's the first person I felt parental about. She's the first person I felt like I had a parental instinct for. I love her and the country knows she's one of our finest actors. I have a tremendous amount of love, respect and admiration and I'm allowed to say what I want about her. So, if I cry at her good news and I really feel good then I'm allowed to. I'm like a parent to her. Why should I be pretending for optics? I genuinely love her and I want to say it all the time."
First Published:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Padakkalam' OTT release: When and where to watch Suraj Venjaramoodu's supernatural comedy film
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) After making its theatrical debut on May 8, 2025, the Malayalam supernatural comedy 'Padakkalam' is now set for its OTT release. The official announcement was shared by the platform via its social media handles, confirming the digital premiere. When and where to watch Padakkalam will be available from June 10onwards . This release comes just over a month after the film's theatrical run. The OTT platform shared the news via a Tweet that read, 'കോമഡിയുടെ പടക്കളം ജൂൺ 10 മുതൽ ജിയോഹോട്ട്സ്റ്റാറിൽ! @PoojaMohanraj @actorsharafu #Padakkalam #PadakkalamMovie #JioHotstar #JioHotstarMalayalam #PadakkalamOnJioHotstar #FridayFilmHouse #MalayalamMovie #Fantasy #Comedy #Friendship. ' Padakkalam - Official Trailer A mix of comedy, mystery, and the supernatural Executed with a unique blend of humor and suspense, 'Padakkalam' revolves around four nerdy comic book enthusiasts whose lives are upended by the arrival of a charismatic new professor at their college. What begins as admiration quickly turns into suspicion, as the professor is rumored to possess powers of sorcery and body-swapping. The group of friends, aided by another concerned professor, embarks on a chaotic yet thrilling mission to uncover the truth behind the supernatural occurrences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bangladesh: Unsold Sofas at Bargain Prices (View Current Prices) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo The film mixes college campus antics with dark magical elements, making it a one-of-a-kind entry in supernatural comedy genre. Star-studded cast and fresh faces 'Padakkalam' features Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharaf U Dheen in lead roles.. They are joined by a promising ensemble cast, including Sandeep Pradeep, Saaf, Arun Pradeep, Arun Ajikumar, Niranjana Anoop, Pooja Mohanraj, and Ishan Shoukath, among others. A Whimsical Campus Carnival with a Supernatural Twist ETimes gave the movie a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 and our official review read, 'Padakkalam offers a refreshing mix of supernatural thrills and laugh-out-loud comedy set in a vibrant campus backdrop. The film's unique plot, where four nerdy students uncover their professor's dark secrets, keeps you hooked with twists and charm. Stellar performances by Sharafudheen, Suraj, and the young cast, along with striking visuals and immersive sound design, elevate the experience. If you enjoy quirky adventures with heart, humor, and a dose of fantasy, this is a must-watch.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal reveal how 'The Accountant 2' action scenes are different from 'Batman' and 'The Punisher'
Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are set to team up in the upcoming action flick 'The Accountant 2'. The duo, who play the leading men in the upcoming film, got candid about stepping up with guns blazing in this Gavin O'Connor directorial. No stranger to action roles, the two stars have earned quite the fan following for their roles in previous blockbuster franchises like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and The Punisher. At 'The Accountant 2' global press conference, attended by ETimes, the duo discussed how the sequel focuses on emotionally grounded action rather than mere action spectacle. For Ben, who portrayed Batman in the DC Extended Universe, the physical demands of The Accountant 2 felt distinct due to the personal stakes woven into the narrative. The actor, who returned to the sequel explained, "To me, what makes the action in The Accountant 2 so unique is that it's always rooted in character motivation. It's not about creating a shot that looks cool or building a sequence for visual flair. Everything is driven by what these characters want and why they are fighting in the first place. " The sequel continues the story of Christian Wolff (Affleck), a mathematical savant with lethal combat skills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Accounting Automation Software Might Help You To Earn More Accounting Automation Software | Search ads Undo Unlike the large-scale action of Batman v Superman, the violence in The Accountant 2 remains gritty and intimate. Affleck noted, "It's always driven by what each character wants and why they're doing this. There's a grounded reason for every action, and Gavin's gift is to take that and make it visually compelling. " Director Gavin O'Connor echoed his sentiments, saying, "We didn't want the action to feel 'stunty' or separate from the characters." "By the third act, it was all about tracking how these brothers—Christian and Brax—are working together, how they're united. The choreography isn't just about the physicality; it's about the emotional connection between them." According to O'Connor, every sequence—no matter how explosive—serves a narrative purpose. "Action is like a dance; it's done in beats," the director explained. "But it only matters if it evokes emotion. Otherwise, it's just disposable violence." Jon Bernthal, who features as Brax, Christian's estranged but loyal brother, described how his character's journey is deeply intertwined with the film's themes of family and redemption. "You can't lie in a fight—you just can't," he remarked and added, "What you want is right there, so if you're going for it, you've got to know why. Gavin has a hunger to really dive into what makes these characters tick. For Brax, the emotional baggage from their childhood and their father's influence is always there. The violence isn't just for show—it's a way to express love and loyalty." Bernthal reflected on the mysterious nature of his character in the first film and how the sequel peels back layers of his relationship with his brother. "The first film left a lot unsaid about Brax. But here, it's about getting each other's backs, and being there for each other. In a strange way, the action scenes show how much these brothers love and need each other," he added. The Accountant 2 is set for its release on Prime Video India, on Thursday, June 5. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
With 'Raid 2', 'Mission Impossible', 'Bhool Chuk Maaf', May has been good at the box office with over Rs 300 crore; June looks promising with three big releases, find out!
Last month ETimes had reported how the period between April 10 to May 10 has been absolutely a fruitful period for the box office with releases like 'Jaat', 'Kesari 2' and 'Raid 2'. However, the trend has continued to stay all through May with some numbers coming in at the box office. While 'Raid 2' continued to dominate at the screens after releasing on May 1, the momentum continued with 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' which released on May 17 followed by 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' on May 23. Here's a detailed box office analysis of May and these movies: Raid 2 is a HIT 'Raid 2' is now nearing its lifetime run at the box office and the film has collected Rs 168.74 crore till its Day 33 now which is Monday, June 2. It collected much more than the lifetime collection of 'Raid'. This is the number in India. The worldwide number is much higher. The total collection of the first part was Rs 103 crore net in India. Thus, the second installment has done much better and can be called a hit now. According to Box Office India, the collections of 'Raid 2' were 10 percent better than 'Shaitaan' though collections in South India and Odisha will remain less. Mission Impossible nearing the Rs 100 crore mark Just as 'Raid 2' was beginning to lose its steam, one saw the release of Tom Cruise starrer 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo The movie has collected Rs 91.1 crore net in India which is a huge number and soon it's nearing the Rs 100 crore mark. Out of this, the maximum collection has come from the English version followed by the Hindi version. The film released on May 17 in India and turned out to be one of the biggest Hollywood openers. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh told ETimes, "Good films will always find an audience. Mission Impossible and Final Destination - one came on Thursday and the Tom Cruise film came on Saturday. Both the films have found an audience, of course Mission Impossible has found a bigger audience. But it's a good sign as people are coming back to theatres." Film trade expert Girish Wankhede opined, "The release of 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' has marked a significant resurgence for Hollywood in India, signaling a potential revival of interest in Hollywood amidst a landscape increasingly dominated by South Indian films. Paramount's strategic decision to debut the film six days ahead of its U.S. release has paid off handsomely, as Indian audiences eagerly anticipated this latest installment of the iconic franchise. It is the highest opening day of a Hollywood film in 2025, surpassing even the much-anticipated 'Captain America: Brave New World.' 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' emerges strong after all the conflict There was a huge conflict around the release of 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' as the makers got into a legal battle with PVR Inox. Eventually, the film didn't release on OTT and hit the theatres on May 23. It had a great opening number on Day 1 owing to the discounted ticket prices, however, it continued to remain decently well even after the opening day. The total collection of the film so far, by the end of 11 days, is Rs 60.63 crore according to Sacnilk. PVR Inox CEO had rubbished reports that the film is doing well only because of discounted ticket prices and said that it's genuinely doing well. He also spoke about how May is good month for cinemas. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Some wrote off #BhoolChukMaaf citing 'discount offers' or 'lack of appeal'😇 The box office tells a very different story — it's a genuine HIT💥 May has revived theatres, audiences are back in big numbers, and the big screens are booming all over the country." Summing up May! Clearly, with three big releases, May has been a great month for the box office. A cumulative number of these three biggies comes when added together comes to Rs 320.47 crore which is huge! Taran Adarsh agrees that May has been a massive month for the movies and highly encouraging. Wankhede explains that the Month has been good at the box office, also considering the south movies. He says, "May 2025 has proven to be an exceptional month for the Indian film industry, showcasing a remarkable blend of Bollywood, South Indian cinema, and Hollywood productions, all of which have achieved impressive box office results. The month kicked off with a blockbuster opening week, highlighted by the film 'Raid 2' which garnered a staggering ₹231 crores worldwide. This film's success set a positive tone for the month, drawing in audiences with its compelling storyline and star-studded cast. Following closely was the Tamil film 'Tourist Family,' which made an impressive mark by raking in around ₹87 crores." He adds, "In addition, the Telugu film 'Hit 3' continued the momentum by achieving a commendable ₹119 crores, further underscoring the strength of regional films in the Indian market. Another Tamil release 'Retro' also made headlines by generating approximately ₹97 crores, demonstrating the diverse tastes of Indian audiences and their willingness to embrace quality storytelling, regardless of the language. " Wankhede continues, "As the month progressed, two major Hollywood franchises debuted in the third week, further enriching the cinematic offerings available to Indian viewers. 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' managed to captivate audiences, amassing around ₹90 crores despite facing limited screen availability. Meanwhile, another Hollywood title, 'Final Destination,' also performed admirably, securing ₹55 crores in its run. The fact that it achieved such numbers with fewer screens speaks volumes about the draw of established franchises and the loyalty of their fanbases." June to be even bigger? Adarsh says, "I'm not considering the dubbed versions but there are three major releases in June - 'Housefull 5', 'Sitaare Zameen Par' and 'Maa'. So, one only hopes that June should be even bigger. We can be optimistic." 'Housefull 5' has really high expectations as it's set to release on June 6. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez, Fardeen Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Johnny Lever among many others. 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is Aamir Khan's big comeback after 'Laal Singh Chaddha' and the hopes from this one are also really high. Meanwhile, Kajol will be seen in a mythological horror film 'Maa' and it's from the house of 'Shaitaan'. The trailer has got a great response. Apar from the new releases, 'Mission Impossible' also continues to spill over in June and will now inch towards the Rs 100 crore mark, thus will contribute to the June numbers as well. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
