Highlights:
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Karan Johar criticized trolling aimed at Varun Dhawan’s smile in Border 2
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He said online outrage fades when films receive genuine audience love
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Described Border 2 as emotional and patriotic after watching it
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He called the film a “sure-shot winner”
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Border 2 released nationwide ahead of Republic Day
Filmmaker Karan Johar has publicly backed actor Varun Dhawan after the latter became the subject of online trolling over his smile in the recently released war drama Border 2. Responding directly to the criticism, Karan Johar dismissed the backlash as insignificant when weighed against real audience appreciation and theatrical success.
The comments came after social media users circulated clips and images from Border 2, questioning Varun Dhawan’s expressions in certain scenes. The criticism quickly gained traction online, prompting Karan Johar to address what he described as the growing culture of instant outrage.
Karan Johar responds to online trolling
Taking to his Instagram Stories on Friday (23), Karan Johar shared a message defending Varun Dhawan and criticizing the nature of social media commentary. Without naming individuals or accounts, Karan Johar referred to critics as “noisemakers” and “clickbait-seeking content creators” who depend on virtual attention rather than meaningful engagement.
In his post, Karan Johar stressed that targeting an actor over something as minor as a smile highlights the superficiality of online criticism. He wrote that while trolls may mock performers on social platforms, actors ultimately “laugh when the film releases to packed houses and they receive pure, authentic audience love.”
According to Karan Johar, the virtual space often amplifies negativity but lacks long-term relevance. He added, “That’s why it’s called a virtual world,” underscoring his belief that reality is shaped by audience response and box-office performance rather than trending opinions. He further stated that when viewers connect with a film, online noise becomes “defunct.”
Karan Johar praises Border 2 after watching the film
Beyond defending Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar also shared his reaction to Border 2 as a film. After watching the movie, Karan Johar posted the official poster on Instagram and said that the film had a strong emotional impact on him.
“Border 2 moved me to tears in many scenes,” Karan Johar wrote in his post. He described the film as “patriotism with a beating heart” and called it a “sure-shot winner.” Karan Johar also tagged the lead cast Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, along with the director and producers, congratulating the team for delivering what he described as a powerful cinematic experience.
Karan Johar and the debate around audience versus social media reaction
The comments from Karan Johar have renewed discussions within the industry about the gap between online discourse and ground-level audience response. While social media reactions often dominate early narratives around a film, Karan Johar emphasized that sustained success is determined by viewers who buy tickets and engage with the story in theaters.
By framing social media criticism as temporary “noise,” Karan Johar positioned audience love and box-office results as the ultimate measure of a film’s impact. His remarks reflect a broader industry sentiment that viral criticism does not always translate into real-world failure.
About Border 2
Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is the sequel to the 1997 war film Border. The movie draws inspiration from real events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and continues the tradition of large-scale patriotic storytelling associated with the original film.
Sunny Deol returns as the central figure, while Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty portray fellow soldiers. The film combines combat sequences with emotional storytelling, aiming to recreate the nationalism that defined its predecessor.
A review by Hindustan Times noted that Border 2 does not function merely as a sequel, but attempts to make audiences “sit up and salute.” While the review acknowledged the film’s excesses, it also highlighted its sincerity and emotionally charged moments, describing it as a theatrical experience best suited for a packed cinema hall.
Release and production details
Produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta’s JP Films, Border 2 was released nationwide ahead of Republic Day. The timing positioned it as a major patriotic release, supported by strong promotional momentum and high-profile endorsements.
With public backing from industry figures such as Karan Johar, and early word-of-mouth suggesting strong audience engagement, the film is expected to maintain a steady box-office run. For Karan Johar, the conversation remains clear: online criticism may trend briefly, but audience response ultimately defines a film’s success.
