Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions backed the critically acclaimed film Homebound, which is also India’s official entry for the Oscars. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film released in India on September 26 after a successful run at international film festivals. However, it saw poor box office numbers owing to limited screens. Now, Johar’s latest remarks on the film’s box office performance have irked netizens, who have called him out for his comments.
Karan Johar on balancing creativity and profitability
In a conversation with Komal Nahta, Johar spoke about selling 50 per cent of Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla. “Every deal has its own advantages and responsibilities. There was never accountability before this—I just learned the term ‘quarter.’ Apoorva keeps me on my toes and says, ‘Not profitable? Don’t do it.’ I’ve taken many creative decisions in the past purely for satisfaction and to push the bar of cinema. Some films may not have been box office hits, but they’re still remembered for what they were,” Johar said.
He added that while he will always value creativity, he must also stay mindful of profitability. “Now, every decision has to be taken with profitability in mind. We are a commercial enterprise. I made Homebound, which was critically acclaimed worldwide, but I can’t say if I’ll take such decisions again in the future. I will feel upset, but I chose this deal for growth—and growth comes from profit. I’ll always be artistic, but it’s important to be commercial as well.”
Netizens react: ‘You didn’t even give it screens!’
Johar’s remarks didn’t sit well with many cinema lovers, who blamed the film’s failure on poor planning and lack of screens allotted during its release. Several also criticised Dharma Productions for releasing Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari just a week after Homebound, allegedly diverting focus from the smaller film.
One user wrote on X, “Everyone I’ve spoken to wanted to watch this film, but there were barely any shows. Like no, I’m not travelling from Ghaziabad to Gurgaon for a 9 a.m. show on a Tuesday. It’s KJo’s fault the movie isn’t profitable.”
Another comment read, “Homebound needed more screens and promotion. Instead, Karan gave preference to SSKTK. Even Student of the Year would’ve flopped if he’d spent this little on publicity.”
Fans also pointed out that even big-budget films can underperform without proper marketing, arguing that Johar’s statement deflects responsibility from poor release strategy.
Check out some other reactions:
Rather don`t make films with talentless nepo babies, that`s where you lost most of your money, first pay them to work in the movie, then spend money to shoot the movie, then book theatres/ corporate booking to show that the movie isn`t a flop lol #SunnySanskariKiTulsiKumari https://t.co/G3Nlojht0R pic.twitter.com/vviCB5OvAN
— Madhotra ᵖᵃʳᵃᵐˢᵘⁿᵈᵃʳ (@Ohyoumadd127530) October 8, 2025
didn`t promote the film, gave it a limited release which was priced exorbitantly, and now crying wolf. what about when you spend crores on nepo projects that also fail miserably? do you stop those? no. but ofc homebound not doing well will get you up in arms. https://t.co/b6R6QOUcSb
— p. (@OyyeHoyyeBasket) October 8, 2025
Assuming this isnt a clickbait,its shameful of him to make this statement.He literally saturated the industry with ppl who can`t act bt keep getting films &then wants appreciation for making few content films which is his job?The brunt of ur anger should be on SSKTK not Homebound https://t.co/aDRUjR5Aaq
— AlphaBeta (@LucasMStarr) October 8, 2025
