In a heated exchange that has caught the attention of Bollywood and the entertainment industry at large, Divya Khosla Kumar, wife of producer Bhushan Kumar, has publicly criticized Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt for their involvement in the recent film Jigra. The controversy erupted shortly after the release of Jigra, co-produced by Karan Johar and starring Alia Bhatt. Divya Khosla has accused both of unethical practices, ranging from plagiarism to manipulation of box office numbers.
The Conflict: Accusations of Plagiarism
Divya Khosla Kumar’s grievances began when she claimed that Jigra bore a striking resemblance to her own film Savi, which had been released earlier. According to Khosla, Jigra had a plotline alarmingly similar to Savi, and while her movie went into production first, she felt that her work was unfairly overshadowed by Jigra due to the star power of Alia Bhatt and the clout of Karan Johar.
Speaking about this issue, Divya shared her disappointment and frustration with how her project was seemingly overlooked. “Both films share the same story, but my film went into production first,” Divya noted, pointing out that Savi was co-produced by Mukesh Bhatt, Alia Bhatt’s uncle, adding another layer of controversy to the conflict.
Box Office Manipulation Claims
Divya Khosla took to social media, specifically Instagram Stories, to voice her concerns, posting an image of an empty theatre where Jigra was screening. She accused the makers of Jigra, including Karan Johar, of inflating the box office numbers despite low attendance at screenings. “I saw an empty theatre, yet Jigra’s opening figures were inflated. That needs serious correction,” Divya stated. She went further, criticizing the larger issue of box office manipulation in Bollywood, asserting that such unethical practices undermine the credibility of the industry.
“We are creative people, we are not in a share market,” Divya said, expressing her disdain for how box office numbers have become a game of manipulation. According to her, the true merit of a film should be determined by its content and artistic value, not manipulated numbers to present a false image of success. “Let the audience decide based on merit, not money and power,” she insisted, challenging the growing trend of declaring films as ‘hits’ based on inflated box office numbers.
Karan Johar’s Alleged ‘Derogatory Language’
Adding fuel to the fire, Divya also accused Karan Johar of using ‘derogatory language’ to shut down her allegations. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Divya revealed that Karan had allegedly referred to her as a “fool” for raising these concerns. She expressed outrage at this treatment, questioning whether it was appropriate to dismiss a woman’s claims in such a manner. “Is it right to call a woman a fool for pointing out unethical practices?” she asked.
Divya further stated that Karan’s response is indicative of a larger problem in the industry, where those with power use their influence to belittle and silence those who raise legitimate concerns. “If this happens to me, what about those new to the industry?” she questioned, highlighting the struggle faced by outsiders or less influential members of the Bollywood fraternity.
In a strong statement, Divya declared, “No one is a king here, and I won’t be treated like a subject.” She firmly opposed the notion that industry giants like Karan Johar have the right to speak down to others, emphasizing her own established reputation within the industry. “I am already well known,” Divya added, reaffirming her status and calling out Karan Johar’s PR team for allegedly taking a derogatory tone against her.
Defending Alia Bhatt’s Heroism
Divya also took aim at Alia Bhatt, who had remained relatively silent amidst the controversy. In her Instagram post, Divya suggested that Alia, already a well-established actress, did not need to resort to such tactics of inflating box office numbers to maintain her status. While she acknowledged Alia’s success, Divya made it clear that true heroism lies in standing up against unethical practices, not benefiting from them. “True heroism is in speaking against wrongdoing,” Divya stated, urging the industry to prioritize merit and integrity over manipulation.
Industry Reactions and Divya’s Criticism
The controversy surrounding Jigra does not stop with Divya Khosla Kumar’s accusations. Other prominent figures have chimed in, most notably Kangana Ranaut, who has a history of speaking out against Karan Johar. After Jigra’s release, Kangana seemingly took an indirect jab at the film’s makers, accusing them of destroying women-centric films. “When you destroy women-centric films and make sure that they don’t work, they don’t work, even when you make them. Read that again. Thanks,” Kangana tweeted.
Mary Kom actor Bijou Thaangjam also accused the makers of Jigra of discrimination against actors from Northeast India, adding another layer of controversy to the film’s release.
In response to Divya’s claims, Karan Johar posted a cryptic message on his social media, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.” While this message did not directly address Divya or the allegations against Jigra, it was widely interpreted as a retort to the ongoing drama.
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