Mumbai, July 25 — Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar has shared deeply personal reflections on his formative years, revealing the emotional toll of being labelled “feminine” and facing social exclusion during school. Speaking on a recent podcast, Johar recounted his early desire to fit in and the isolation he experienced growing up in Mumbai’s elite Malabar Hill neighbourhood.
“I just wanted to belong,” Johar said, describing how his interests—such as watching Hindi films and dancing to Bollywood songs—set him apart from peers who gravitated toward Western pop culture. Despite receiving unconditional love from his parents, he recalled being told he walked, spoke, and behaved differently from other boys his age.
The filmmaker also revealed that he was often excluded from group activities like football and cricket, with classmates deeming him “not boy enough or man enough.” These experiences, he said, led to feelings of inadequacy and a desire to change schools due to ragging and bullying.
A pivotal moment came when Johar’s mother sat him down at age 12 and encouraged him to focus on what he was good at. “She told me, ‘I want you to be an achiever no matter what you do,’” he recalled. Taking her advice to heart, Johar joined his school’s debate and elocution club, marking the beginning of his journey toward self-confidence and public expression.
Johar’s candid revelations have sparked widespread conversation about gender norms, childhood bullying, and the importance of parental support in nurturing individuality. His story adds a powerful voice to ongoing dialogues around identity and acceptance in Indian society.
