Renowned Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has revealed that he faced significant emotional and social challenges during his childhood and teenage years due to his feminine mannerisms, saying he often felt excluded and stigmatised for being “different”.
In a recent interview, the 52-year-old director and producer spoke at length about the pressures he faced in trying to conform to gender norms while growing up in a conservative environment.
“I was told that I shouldn’t have so many feminine mannerisms. My walk, my speech, my hobbies – everything was scrutinised. People used to say I was not like the boys or that my style wasn’t masculine enough,” said Johar, who is the son of the late producer Yash Johar and co-founder of Dharma Productions.
He recalled how his attempts to integrate with his peers were met with rejection, especially in outdoor group activities. “I wanted to play football, cricket, be part of the evening games with the kids in our apartment block,” he said. “But I was never picked for the team. They said I wasn’t a good player, but it was more than that — I just didn’t fit their idea of what a boy should be like.”
Johar, known for directing hit films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name is Khan, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, said his primary desire during those formative years was to feel a sense of belonging.
“My teenage years were marked by the overwhelming desire to be accepted,” he said. “Back then, nobody told you that you don’t have to be like others. There was no guidance or philosophy that encouraged you to find your own identity.”
He also recounted a particularly painful episode from his school days. “I was only 12 when my mother noticed my distress,” he said. “I told her I wanted to switch schools because I was being constantly bullied. She sat me down and explained things to me. But in the end, I didn’t change schools and went back.”
Johar’s comments have resonated widely across social media, with many praising his candour and calling his journey inspirational. Despite the early challenges, Johar rose to become one of the most influential figures in the Indian film industry. Under his banner, Dharma Productions, he has produced a wide range of commercially and critically acclaimed films.
Most recently, he produced Dhadak 2, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri. The film, directed by Shazia Iqbal, is slated for release on August 1, 2025.
