New Delhi: In a growing feud over box office ethics, actress Divya Khossla has publicly criticized filmmaker Karan Johar following his response to her allegations regarding the box office performance of Alia Bhatt’s latest film, Jigra. The controversy erupted after Divya accused the makers of Jigra of manipulating box office numbers.
The situation intensified when Karan Johar shared a cryptic post on Instagram, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.” Although he did not mention Divya by name, many interpreted the post as a direct reply to her accusations.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Divya expressed her outrage, stating, “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?”
Divya emphasized that she will not be treated as a subordinate in the film industry, saying, “No one is a king here, and I won't be treated like a subject. There are many more derogatory words used in their PR articles, calling my stand a PR stunt. I'm sorry, I don't need one. I'm already well-known.”
She also directed criticism towards Alia Bhatt, claiming that the Highway actress shouldn’t need to resort to “fake ticket bookings” to bolster her film's success. “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,” Divya remarked.
Addressing broader issues within the film industry, Divya highlighted concerns regarding corporate bookings and inflated box office figures, stating, “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.”
The tension between Divya Khossla and the Jigra team appears to be rooted in the similarities between her upcoming film Savi and Jigra. Divya alleges that Jigra is a copy of her film, asserting that both projects share the same storyline and that Savi was in production first. While Jigra premiered on October 11, Savi is scheduled for release in May 2024.
As the controversy unfolds, it raises critical questions about ethics in the film industry and the treatment of women who speak out against perceived injustices.
