Mumbai: Filmmaker and popular talk show host Karan Johar has publicly stepped forward to defend actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda following massive online trolling about their personal lives. The duo recently appeared as guests on Johar’s chat show, Koffee With Karan, marking their first major joint appearance following the promotion of their Telugu film Ranbali.
During the episode, Rashmika and Vijay offered fans a closer look into their relationship and shared details regarding their marriage. However, the candid revelations did not sit well with a section of netizens, leading to severe social media backlash and unwarranted criticism of their personal choices.
Addressing the negativity in a recent interaction with THR India, Karan Johar delivered a sharp rebuke to the trolls, particularly condemning those who targeted the actors’ families. “Everyone has the right to an opinion. But when you start dictating what they should do in their relationship, it bothers me immensely. Who are you? Are you their counsellor? A lawyer? Or a family member?” he questioned.
Johar strongly asserted that while public figures are open to scrutiny, crossing the line to attack their families is unacceptable. “You are commenting on their families. You can have an opinion on any celebrity, but do not belittle their family. Their family members were not sitting on that couch,” he added.
The filmmaker drew a parallel to the severe trolling faced by Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh after their appearance in the eighth season of Koffee With Karan, where they too spoke candidly about their marriage. Johar noted that it is not just couples who face the heat; even his own statements on the show often become the subject of intense scrutiny.
On a lighter note, Johar revealed that the upcoming episode of Koffee With Karan will feature Bollywood power couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra. A recently released promo shows Kiara gracefully flaunting her baby bump. The couple, who welcomed their first daughter in July 2025, are currently expecting their second child.