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Karan Johar Calls for End to Paid PR in Bollywood Promotions

Karan Johar urges Bollywood to cut back on paid PR and let films speak for themselves, highlighting the difficulty in measuring true audience reactions.

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Dumtika Editorial

April 27, 2026 · 1 min read

Karan Johar Calls for End to Paid PR in Bollywood Promotions

(Image: Dumtika Editorial)

Karan Johar Criticizes Bollywood's Paid Publicity Trend

Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar has stirred conversation in Bollywood circles by voicing strong concerns about the surge in paid publicity and PR campaigns that have become prevalent in the industry. Johar, whose recent works have consistently kept him in the spotlight, emphasized that the increasing reliance on artificial promotion makes it challenging to gauge genuine audience reactions.

Known for his influential productions under Dharma Productions, Karan Johar clarified that his remarks were not directed at any specific star or project, but rather at the wider pattern unfolding across Hindi cinema. He noted, "Bollywood has to stop PR and this is better for Hindi cinema. The achievements have to speak instead of fake publicity." Johar further commented that hyperactive marketing, whether through method campaigns or not, has overshadowed the core value of a film’s content.

The filmmaker also acknowledged the vital role of publicity and marketing, but insisted that everything now seems to come with a price tag, making it tough to measure true public sentiment. "Publicity and marketing are very important work categories and should be treated accordingly. Everything is now available for a price," he stated.

As Bollywood continues to evolve, Johar’s candid views are likely to spark further debate and may influence how future projects shape their promotional strategies.