Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 12 hrs ago
Karan Johar defends Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda after online criticism
Karan Johar defended newlyweds Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda after their appearance on Koffee With Karan drew online criticism.
The couple discussed their relationship on the show in October, in one of their first extended public conversations about it.
Johar said viewers should not tell them how to run their marriage or demean their families, who were not part of the discussion.
Viewers picked apart the couple’s comments and interactions, including Vijay’s account that Rashmika had proposed many times before he agreed to marry her.
The backlash reflects how celebrity interviews can become targets of intense online scrutiny, with comments and personal choices dissected for attention and engagement.
Johar compared the criticism with the reaction to Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s appearance on an earlier season, calling that response regressive.
The debate centres on the limits of public criticism: Johar said people can express opinions, but should not dictate a couple’s private choices.
Karan Johar defended Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda after their Koffee With Karan appearance drew online criticism.
He said people may express opinions but should not dictate how the couple conducts their marriage.
Johar urged critics not to demean the couple’s families, who were not part of the show.
The couple appeared on the show in October and discussed their relationship.
Johar also called criticism of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh after their Season 8 appearance “downright regressive.”
- Who
- Karan Johar defended actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda.
- What
- He criticised online scrutiny of their relationship and urged people not to demean their families.
- When
- The remarks were reported on November 10, 2026, after the couple’s October appearance on the show.
- Where
- The couple appeared on Koffee With Karan; Johar spoke to The Hollywood Reporter India.
- Why
- Their appearance and comments about their relationship attracted criticism on social media.
Online critics
Karan Johar
Relationship scrutiny
Online critics
Critics questioned the couple’s relationship and Vijay Deverakonda’s behaviour towards Rashmika Mandanna.
Karan Johar
People may have opinions about celebrities but should not dictate how the couple runs its marriage.
Families
Online critics
Critics brought the couple’s families into the debate.
Karan Johar
Their families were not on the show and should not be demeaned.
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda became a popular on-screen pair with Geetha Govindam.
They teamed up again in Dear Comrade.
The couple appeared on Koffee With Karan and discussed their relationship.
Reports published Johar’s defence of the couple after the online criticism.
- Couple
- Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda
- Defending them
- Karan Johar
- Show
- Koffee With Karan
- Appearance
- October 2026
- Earlier season discussed
- Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh appeared in Season 8
3 sources
What people are saying
Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. But when you start telling them what to do in that relationship, I have a very big problem. Who are you? Are you a counsellor? Are you a lawyer? Are you a member of their family?
Don’t demean their families. Their families weren’t on that couch.
They are beautifully in love. Such good actors in love with each other. They were just being honest about their lives. Since when should honesty be judged? You should be appreciative of someone’s honesty.