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Karan Johar just wrote an open letter to his homophobic Twitter trolls

Karan Johar just wrote an open letter to his homophobic Twitter trolls

While most people have alarm clocks, I get to wake up every morning to expletives, he writes
17 Jun, 2016

Behind Karan Johar's oft-smiling face is a history of heartbreak and hurt.

In an op-ed for NDTV, the Bollywood producer/director writes an open letter to his trolls, that is, people on social media who direct completely unwarranted negative comments at him.

'While most people have alarm clocks, I get to wake up every morning to "gay ma*****od, good morning",' he begins.

KJo wrote about how he was one of the first from Bollywood to have joined Twitter, and eventually his fans' adulation was diluted by comments of a spiteful kind.

"But then started the phase where I began to wake up to "gay ma*****od, good morning". Every morning. Or just "hi gay". I am routinely called "chakka". Every so often, I'm told I'm a transsexual/transvestite/sister-shagging homosexual, which is actually, if you think about it, a contradiction in terms."

He goes on to suggest that the hate stems from his not confirming to modern-day ideals of masculinity:

"I understand I'm not the most masculine human being, I'm not the most macho stud walking the block, and I also understand (even if I think it's ridiculous) that if you're seen as a little effeminate, you're made fun of. And I know I can be sometimes, especially when I dance."

His response to the hate? It's been a rollercoaster ride that's ended with a revelation:

"I went through the stages, the three emotions: anger to indifference to high levels of amusement. At this stage, frankly, I'm almost excited to be trolled, or I would be were it just about the trollers and their sad little minds... What gets my goat is the misogyny therein, the sexism that's so rampant. The ability to hurt and wound. Take Anushka Sharma, what did she have to do with a lost match? There's a particular brand of pervert just looking to hate, and they're often drowning us out in the din."

And so, he addresses the trolls:

"You're probably as unattractive as you seem to think me. You probably hate my selfies, because you don't love what you see in your's. You obviously have no job! And your solution to life's frustrations is to take it out on me (and a few unlucky others). And now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, I want to tell you that you don't actually disturb me any more. What would disturb me was if I allowed you the smallest amount of influence over my life. "

With that off his chest, he closes on this though-provoking note:

What you don't realise is that with a certain level of fame and celebrity come deep levels of insecurity and anxiety which none of you accounts for. Everyone thinks I land in a chopper on top of my building and I have the most cushy existence. Could you understand that I might have the most messed up life myself? That I am probably in bed lonely most nights, sometimes even crying myself to sleep. I acknowledge that I am materially privileged, but I am not emotionally privileged. There are reasons for me to be lonely and sad on most days and I am probably as sad as you, the troller.

"The difference is I energize myself and my surroundings with a certain amount of positivity and optimism, and all you do is hate.

"I maybe as sad as you, as lonely as you, as messed up as you, but here's what I also know: I'm just a lot nicer than you."

More power to Karan Johar for taking on troll culture and homophobia in one go!

Comments

Arsalan Jun 17, 2016 06:38pm
How well he clarified matters here. He should be giving motivational talks on Ted!! There is something so honest about him. I hope life relieves him of his insecurities and other emotional snags.
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TKhan Jun 17, 2016 07:02pm
Well said Karan, to add say, I am who I am and don't give a hoot what you think, as I am happy to be I am who I am.; and one more thing - I am Rich! Bravo!
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Agha Ata Jun 17, 2016 07:39pm
I thought I wrote this article for myself. Thank you, Karan Johar. :>)
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divergence Jun 17, 2016 07:44pm
Now he is giving trolls more attention than they deserve. What experience on social media and such sites is that most of the feedback and comments of other people are usually misunderstood (intentionally or otherwise) and unrelated to what you are saying. So I decide to give this social media that weightage and importance that it deserves. However, the revenge trolling and such other activities fall in crime offences, they should be reported if someone falls prey to it.
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fayza Jun 17, 2016 07:50pm
way to go... very well written karan.
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sudhir Jun 17, 2016 08:02pm
That's a nice letter by Karan. While I don't like the movies he makes, I love his show `Coffee with Karan.' He is a good TV show host. I love the positivity he has shown in dealing with trolls.
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Najam Jun 17, 2016 08:08pm
Karan Johar is superbly talented guy and suppose if he is a gay, that is his personal choice. We need to respect him just as we respect a straight guy. I think he is brilliant and reading this article made me feel just how hatful life would be for a common gay person when even a celebrity is not spared.
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Mirza Jun 17, 2016 08:16pm
Dear KJ, Thanks for telling how it feels and how great a human being you are. Some people are nothing but eternal losers and hate mongers. They cannot tolerate another kind and sensitive human being than they are. Long ago as a kid l read “how people find time to hate when life is too short to love”. With the hate mongers killing others by dozens and hurting many more the whole world is in turmoil. We should not feel defeated but truly face it with our goodness. There is no evil that our goodness cannot conquer. For every hate monger there are thousands that love you very much. But-khana toD Daliye masjid ko Dha.iye.. Dil ko na toDiye ye khuda ka maqam hai
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Tim Jun 17, 2016 08:17pm
well said !!!
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Indian Jun 17, 2016 08:35pm
Ignore them, block them and move on. Haters gonna hate cuz they know you are doing great!
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Nidhin Olikara Jun 17, 2016 09:05pm
Stay blessed Karan. Stay strong.
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divergence Jun 17, 2016 09:26pm
Trolls want attention and that's what you are giving them. Learn to ignore trolls and live with the reality that some people will just hate, however you may try to convince them.
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Thoroughthinker Jun 17, 2016 10:24pm
Money can never buy happiness and the worst worry is to leave this world without lineage.
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RK Jun 17, 2016 11:50pm
@Najam , just to clarify, being Gay is not a choice, but nature's making.
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Aiza Khan Jun 18, 2016 12:12am
Wow, Karan you made me cry! Respect.
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gp65 Jun 18, 2016 12:18am
@Thoroughthinker I am single and do not have a child and this does not worry me in the least.
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Zoom Jun 18, 2016 01:40am
He is a clear same inside same outside.He distribute happiness to viewers,and he respects all.
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Nasir Soomro Jun 18, 2016 03:42am
One of the noblest part of being Karan Johar is he respects his self.
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Nasir Soomro Jun 18, 2016 03:43am
One of the noblest part of being Karan Johar is he respects his self.
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Xyz Jun 18, 2016 07:42am
@Thoroughthinker what lineage? What difference does it make? You come alone and you go alone. Once u R dead what u leave behind is dust
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Masood Jun 18, 2016 09:51am
Everything he mentions is absolutely authentic but can someone tell me what is a TROLL ? It is mentioned a lot in this article.
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anand tiwari Jun 18, 2016 09:53am
Its nothing but blabering of a self proclaimed intellectual, who is good for nothing.
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kabeer Rugal Jun 18, 2016 11:34am
Well Said ! but too lengthy
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Shai Jun 18, 2016 12:37pm
@ Masood Dear ,troll is a term given to people who follow you on social media platform and then criticise you in the most verbally abusive language ..... It like the verbal diarrhoea with dysentery added to it ...
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Village Simpleton Jun 18, 2016 01:46pm
@anand tiwari In fact U are good for nothing...you are nobody to pass judgements..he is also created by the Almighty...
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SDP Jun 18, 2016 02:40pm
what a soul you are!
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level99 Jun 18, 2016 04:12pm
@Aiza Khan your comment made me cry
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Vinod Narang Jun 20, 2016 06:37pm
You Go Karan !! tell those loosers to mind their own business. They are probably nothing but bunch of jealous people. No one has the right to infringe on someones personal life. Do not assume what someone is until unless you know for fact .
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Gaurav Jun 21, 2016 07:57pm
Look who is talking...we Indians never discriminated anyone on the basis pf sexual preferences, Gay word was invented in west by church to dictate the people...even i got to know about this term gay when i was in school and karan johar made fun of gays in Dostana movie...you are responsible for homophobia in India//still in ruler areas no one is homophobic
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