Indian filmmaker and producer Karan Johar has unfollowed a large number of Bollywood stars, including close friends and industry colleagues such as Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra.
He, however, still follows several Pakistani celebrities, some of whom he has worked with in the past.
Amid speculation on as to why he resorted to a “cleanup”, Johar clarified the move was a personal digital detox.
“It’s a DIGITAL DETOX!!!! Am unfollowing everyone to reduce my time and energy spent on the gram [Instagram],” he wrote, also pushing back against the attention the cleanup received.
“This can’t be national news for God’s sake… please clickbait something else! This is irrelevant,” he said.
According to reports, among the Pakistani stars he continues to follow are Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Imran Abbas and Ali Zafar.
While Fawad shares a direct professional connection with Johar – making his Bollywood debut in the Karan Johar-produced film Khoobsurat and later appearing in the Indian filmmaker’s Kapoor & Sons as well as Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Imran Abbas has also worked with Johar’s production house for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
As for their work experience across the border, Mahira Khan made her Bollywood entry opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, while Ali Zafar built one of the most successful cross-border careers among Pakistani artists, appearing in films like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Chashme Baddoor, Kill Dil and Dear Zindagi.
