The undisputed king of the nepotism culture in Bollywood, director and producer Karan Johar has once again targeted another outsider of the industry. News reports have been coming around for the past two days suggesting Karan Johar reportedly fired and recast Kartik Aaryan in his upcoming sequel movie to 2007 sleeper hit Dostana. Several reports have claimed that Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has not only fired actor Kartik Aaryan from the ongoing movie project but also decided to not work with him again in the future.
Dostana 2 is being directed by Collin D’Cunha, and it has Janhvi Kapoor and debutant Lakshya Lalwani in leading roles, along with Kartik Aaryan. However, after Kartik shot the movie for 20 days and was preparing for the next part of the shoot, some creative differences between the actor and Karan Johar arose which led to the former’s ouster as Johar did not like his authority being undermined.
Meanwhile, Johar’s production house has released a statement while Kartik Aaryan, at the time of reporting, had not given any reaction on the controversy.
“Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence-we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D’Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon,” tweeted Dharma Productions.
— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) April 16, 2021
Immediately after the news broke out #BoycottBollywood started trending on the micro-blogging platform Twitter and netizens directed their ire towards Johar. The netizens have been calling Johar for the treatment meted to Kartik as the Dharma Production head would not have dared eject any other actor if he/she had a godfather in the industry.
https://twitter.com/AntiSethi/status/1383306261827964932
Kangana Ranaut had some harsh words but if you look in deep she might be right.
Just like karan johar's denied to work with Sushant now Kartik Aaryan is the next. Dharma production says they won't work with him that means NO BIG Bollywood Star working with him.#BoycottBollywood pic.twitter.com/LSRMO2b7kX
— Gaurav Sharda (@gauravsharda6) April 17, 2021
This is reality of Bollywood
And kartik is self made actor plz support kartik. We don't want to lose kartik like SSR so plz support him #BoycottBollywood pic.twitter.com/0tuIUOPr6P— Shreyas Kasar (@shreyas__kasar) April 17, 2021
Voice of dissent in the deeply problematic Bollywood industry, Kangana Ranaut trained her guns on Karan Johar and wrote a scathing Twitter thread where she accused Johar of coming after a ‘self-made’ Kartik, just like late Sushant Singh Rajput.
“Kartik has come this far on his own, on his own he will continue to do so, only request to papa jo and his nepo gang club is please leave him alone like Shushant don’t go after him and force him to hang himself. Leave him alone you vultures, get lost chindi nepos…” said Kangana.
The actress continued her monologue and said Kartik need not be afraid of ‘chillars’ referring to Karan Johar and ilk.
“Kartik no need to be scared of these chillars…. after doing nasty articles and releasing announcements blaming only your attitude for fall out this moron wants to maintain dignified silence. They spread same stories of drug addiction and unprofessional behaviour for SSR also.”
Kartik no need to be scared of these chillars…. after doing nasty articles and releasing announcements blaming only your attitude for fall out this moron wants to maintain dignified silence. They spread same stories of drug addiction and unprofessional behaviour for SSR also
— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) April 16, 2021
Reportedly, Karan has unfollowed Kartik on Instagram while the latter is yet to do the same. Whatever be the reality of the situation, one cannot help but point finger at Karan Johar for once again showing his true arrogant self to an outsider who through sheer hard work and talent has made thus far in the industry.
Maybe Kartik objected to alla-maula forced insertion in the plot. Or inserting a Godly Abdul in the film or objected to Hindu bashing in the film. I can think of many obvious reasons.