Karan Johar was told he had a ‘feminine personality’, recalls taking three years of voice training to ‘sound like a man’

Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most popular filmmakers, is known for his glamorous films and larger-than-life persona. But behind the spotlight, he carries deep emotional scars from his childhood that continue to shape him today, especially as a parent.

In a heartfelt conversation with Sania Mirza for Myntra’s ‘Glam Stream’, Karan opened up about his struggles with body image, bullying, and self-worth, revealing how those early experiences have made him a “paranoid parent” to his twins, Yash and Roohi.

Karan Johar on gender stereotypes

The 'My Name Is Khan' director highlighted how society pushes gender stereotypes, “We tell our sons, ‘Don’t cry like a girl,’ or that pink is not for boys. I hate that. I keep telling people, if you’re gifting something girly, send it for both my kids.

And if it’s a PS5, that too, for both.”

Karan Johar recalls pressure to appear more masculine

The 'Student of the Year' director recalled being mocked for being “feminine”. He revealed, “When other boys played sports, I took cookery classes and learned flower arrangement. During a public speaking course, the trainer told me I had a feminine personality and that the world was tough. On his advice, I took voice training for three years to ‘sound like a man.’ I even took classes to change the way I walked and ran.

I told my father I was taking computer lessons because I was too ashamed to tell him the truth.

I wish I had, but I didn’t have the awareness or courage then.”

Karan Johar fears social media impacts his children

The 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' director said while part of him wants his children to enjoy life freely, another part constantly worries they might face the same difficulties he went through, especially in today’s social media world. He explained, “I know kids in school who have Instagram accounts and already feel anxious about their looks, their bodies, and even the number of followers they have.

It’s crazy, they’re just kids.

When we were growing up, no one cared about what you wore or how you looked.”

Karan Johar’s childhood experiences shaped parenting anxieties deeply

Recalling his school days, KJo shared, “I was a plus-sized kid, and though I was allowed to be happy, I can’t imagine how hard it must be for kids like me today. Children, and even adults, can be ruthless. It’s a toxic, unfortunate time.”He admitted that much of his parenting anxiety comes from his own past, “Fifty percent of me is scarred from my childhood.

I’m paranoid that my kids will put on weight. I keep telling them, ‘Don’t eat sugar. Dadda ate a lot of sugar and he suffered.’ When they skip a sport or bunk football, I get angry because no one pushed me back then. I was always the liability, nobody wanted me on their team. They’d say, ‘Football is not for you, play dabba gul with the girls.

’”

Karan Johar’s comfort with food turned into struggle

Food had been his comfort, but later became a source of tension, “Whenever I went through emotional pain as a child, food was my solace. But when I realised what it was doing to my body, I developed a toxic relationship with it. There’s a scene in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ where Shefali Shah’s character eats cake secretly — that scene made me cry. I used to do that.

I once told a lady in Breach Candy it was my birthday just to order her delicious cake four times a year. I’d eat it all by myself. That gave me joy.”The 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' director also spoke about battling body dysmorphia, “I am not comfortable in my own skin. Even today, with some weight gone, I’m only 10% more at ease. Deep inside, I’ll always be that plus-sized boy. I was teased so much that I developed huge insecurities about showing any part of my body.”He has started accepting himself, slowly, “On a recent vacation to Italy, I wore shorts and even posted a picture on Instagram, something I would’ve never done before. Some people appreciated it, others trolled me saying, ‘Yeh buddha pagal ho gaya hai, apna chest kyu dikha raha hai?’ But I didn’t care. My body, my wish.”

Karan Johar on the work front

Johar recently won a National Award for his directorial venture ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ in the category of Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.