Karan Johar Urges Bollywood To Stop Paid PR; Argues, “You Really Can’t Gauge What’s Connecting And What’s Not”

Karan Johar is known for speaking his mind be it on his talk show Koffee With Karan or in real life. The filmmaker – who has also dabbled in acting a couple of times, recently got candid about PR and the practice of paid publicity in Hindi cinema. Karan, while asking urging celebs to stop using it revealed the negative effects it has on organic responses. Read on to know all he said.

Karan Johar On Paid PR In Bollywood

Karan Johar was recently part of a The Week panel discussion focused on the industry. During the interaction, KJo was quizzed about actors like Janhvi Kapoor and Shanaya Kapoor doing ‘method marketing’ for their recent films, Param Sundari and Tu Yaa Main, respectively. When asked if this trend of PR could catch up in Bollywood, Karan responded, “I think Bollywood should stop doing PR. It would be much better.”

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He continued, “They should let their achievements speak for themselves because, unfortunately, all of PR is now ‘paid PR’. So, if you want to say you are looking gorgeous, you just have to pay. If you have to say you are the best actor on planet earth, you have to pay. I think we are in overdrive mode when it comes to PR. So whether they are doing method marketing or not is secondary; they should stop marketing themselves and let their work speak.”

Clarifying that he was not targeting any specific actor but was speaking about the trend in general, Karan Johar noted that paid PR has made it difficult to gauge the audience’s organic reaction. The filmmaker stated, “I don’t mean the people you are talking about. I mean, everyone in general. Publicity and marketing are very important work categories, and they should be treated accordingly. But now, everything is available at a price, and that is something that could be deeply upsetting because then you really can’t gauge what’s connecting and what’s not. Now, you look at everything like, ‘Are people really liking it or have they been paid to like it?’”

Karan’s Upcoming Projects

Karan Johar’s Dharma Production is all set to give the audiences a variety of films this year starting with Lakshya and Ananya Panday-led Chand Mera Dil. The are also backing Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s Udta Teer and Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla.

While he’s busy as producer, the KJo’s last outing as a director was Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut Admits She’s Made Peace With ‘Superficial’ Karan Johar Following 9 Years Feud; Says, “I Don’t Think He’s A Bad Person”

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.