Karan Johar has landed in hot water after Vasan Bala, the director of the upcoming film Jigra, expressed frustration about Johar sending an incomplete script to Alia Bhatt without his approval.
Fans of Bollywood quickly picked up on the incident, triggering discussions about nepotism and favoritism in the industry. While many trolled Johar for prioritizing Bhatt, Jigra producer Somen Mishra defended the director’s decision.
Vasan Bala Upset Over Script Incident
During an interview, Vasan Bala revealed that he had sent a rough draft of the Jigra script to Karan Johar. To Bala’s surprise, just a few hours later, Johar had already sent the incomplete script to Alia Bhatt.
Bala expressed his discontent, stating that he would have preferred to polish the draft before it reached her. His exact words were, “I was really not happy with it. At least a spell check or grammar fix would have made it better.”
Highlighted Fact: Karan Johar told Bala this was normal industry practice, leaving the director feeling uneasy.
Karan Johar Trolled for Nepotism
Social media was quick to react, with many users accusing Johar of nepotism, a long-standing criticism of the filmmaker. Several users pointed out how Johar always favors Alia Bhatt, often calling her the “best actress in the country” and showering her with praise. This incident reignited the debate around Johar’s tendency to work with star kids over other talented actors.
Quote from a Social Media User: “This is exactly what Karan Johar does—taking in good directors and then making them work with his favorite nepo kids.”
Somen Mishra Defends Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt
In defense of Karan Johar, Somen Mishra, the producer of Jigra, took to social media to clarify the situation. Mishra explained that Alia Bhatt was always the first choice for the film, and they were thrilled when she agreed to the project.
He went on to say that it is common for rough drafts to be shared with actors, and Vasan Bala was upset about the state of the draft, not about Alia’s involvement.
Important Point: “Somen Mishra emphasized that Alia Bhatt was the only actress they wanted for the role of Satya, calling her ‘MAGIC on screen.’”
What’s Next for Jigra?
Despite the drama surrounding the script incident, Jigra is gearing up for its release. The film promises to showcase Alia Bhatt in a never-seen-before action avatar, as she portrays a sister fighting to save her brother from a foreign prison.
Jigra is set to hit theaters on October 11, 2024 and is co-produced by Alia’s Eternal Sunshine Productions alongside Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.