Divya Khosla has publicly criticized Jigra filmmakers Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt, accusing them of unethical practices in the film industry.
The controversy began with Khosla’s Instagram post accusing Alia of manipulating box office numbers for her latest film. In response, Karan Johar posted a cryptic message on Instagram, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.” Although he did not name anyone directly, the post targeted Khosla’s allegations.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Khosla condemned Johar for using “derogatory language.” She questioned the appropriateness of calling a woman a fool for highlighting unethical behaviour and expressed concerns about the impact of such actions on industry newcomers. “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?” she stated.
Khosla also refuted claims that her actions were merely publicity stunts, asserting her established reputation. She criticized the “fake ticket bookings” associated with Alia Bhatt’s projects, stating, “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.”
She further highlighted the challenges faced by smaller production houses post-COVID, noting the survival of only those backed by substantial financial resources. Khosla observed empty theatres despite reported high opening figures for Jigra and called for correcting these misrepresented box office stats.
The dispute also touches on similarities between Khosla’s film, Savi, and Alia Bhatt’s Jigra. Khosla claims that Jigra plagiarizes the storyline of her film, which was in production first. Jigra was released in theatres on October 11, while Savi premiered in May 2024.
