Actor-director Divya Khosla has ignited a fierce debate in Bollywood, taking a bold stand against filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Alia Bhatt, accusing them of engaging in unethical practices. The controversy erupted over Khosla’s Instagram Story, where she criticized Bhatt’s latest release, Jigra, and suggested that the film is a ‘copy’ of her own project, Savi. What followed was a heated exchange with Johar, who responded with a cryptic Instagram post that read: “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.”
In retaliation, Khosla quickly fired back, stating, “Truth will always offend fools opposed to it.” The war of words escalated, bringing attention to some long-standing concerns about the manipulation of box office figures and unethical industry practices.
War of Words with Karan Johar
Khosla took issue with Johar’s response, accusing him of using “derogatory language” to silence her. She expressed frustration over being called a ‘fool’ for speaking out and questioned the fairness of how women in the industry are treated. “Today, when I speak up, Mr. Karan Johar uses derogatory language to shut me down. Is it right to call a woman a fool for pointing out unethical practices? If this happens to me, what about those new to the industry? No one is a king here, and I won’t be treated like a subject,” she stated emphatically.
Khosla also raised concerns about how her taking a stand was labeled as a “PR stunt” by certain media outlets, a claim she firmly rejected. “I'm sorry, I don't need one. I'm already well known,” she added, highlighting her frustration with the industry's dismissive attitude toward whistleblowers.
Targeting Alia Bhatt and Fake Box Office Bookings
In her initial post, Khosla also targeted Alia Bhatt, alleging that her film Jigra had benefited from “fake ticket bookings.” Khosla insisted that while Bhatt is a well-established actor who doesn’t need to resort to such tactics, the issue at hand is about standing up against wrongdoing, regardless of one’s status.
“Alia doesn’t need to resort to such tactics; she’s already well-established. But true heroism is in speaking against wrongdoing. Let the audience decide based on merit, not money and power,” Khosla remarked.
Unethical Practices and Manipulated Box Office Numbers
Khosla’s accusations didn’t stop with fake ticket bookings. She delved deeper into the problem of inflated box office figures, which she claims have harmed smaller production houses and stifled creativity. Citing her own experience, she expressed concerns about how corporate-backed films are manipulating the market to their advantage, leading to an unfair playing field.
“After Covid, smaller production houses have shut down, and only those with money survive. I saw an empty theatre, yet Jigra’s opening figures were inflated. That needs serious correction,” she pointed out, highlighting the growing disparity in the industry. According to Khosla, false numbers are released to declare certain films as ‘hits,’ while genuinely good films are overlooked.
“We are creative people, not part of the stock market. By giving fake box office numbers, certain media persons highlight bad films. When good films work, no one talks about that. These people decide which film will be declared a hit—as tickets are bought and fake collections are announced,” she added.
A Call for Industry Reform
Khosla’s remarks have opened up a much-needed discussion on the state of the film industry and the increasing influence of money and power over merit. Her statements have not only challenged Bollywood’s biggest names but also called for accountability in an industry where success is often determined by influence rather than talent.
As the controversy unfolds, audiences and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how it impacts the perception of films like Jigra and the broader conversation about transparency in Bollywood’s box office reporting.