Premium

Bhushan Kumar’s wife Divya Khossla slams Karan Johar for using ‘derogatory language’ against her amid Jigra controversy: ‘No one is a king…’

Divya Khossla sparked controversy after she accused the makers of Jigra of manipulating box office numbers. She has now spoken out directly against producer Karan Johar.

Divya Khossla slams Karan Johar. (Photo: Karan Johar/Divya Khossla/Instagram)

Actor Alia Bhatt’s new film, Jigra, found itself embroiled in multiple controversies soon after its release on October 11. The negativity started when producer Bhushan Kumar’s actor-filmmaker wife, Divya Khossla, claimed that Jigra, co-produced by Karan Johar, has a similar plot to her recently released film Savi. After Jigra’s release, Divya took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of an empty theatre and accused Alia Bhatt of manipulating box office numbers. This also sparked a war of words between the Savi star and Karan Johar, although Karan didn’t directly take her name.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Divya said, “Today, when I speak up, Mr Karan Johar uses derogatory language to shut me down. Is it right to call a woman a fool for pointing out unethical practices?” She further questioned: “If this happens to me, what about those new to the industry? No one is a king here, and I won’t be treated like a subject.” She accused Karan Johar’s PR team of taking a derogatory tone against her. “I am already well known,” claimed Divya.

Talking about Alia Bhatt, whom she targeted in her empty theatre post and accused of manipulating box office numbers, Divya said, “Alia doesn’t need to resort to such tactics; she’s already well-established. But true heroism is in speaking against wrongdoing. Let the audience decide based on merit, not money and power.”

Story continues below this ad

Talking about manipulating box office numbers, Divya said, “I saw an empty theatre, yet Jigra’s opening figures were inflated. That needs serious correction.” She further claimed, “We are creative people, we are not in a share market, and by giving fake box office numbers, certain media persons also highlight bad films. These people decide which film will be declared a hit as tickets are bought and fake collections are announced.”

Also read – Jigra: Vasan Bala weaponises Alia Bhatt in one of the best Hindi films of the year; Karan Johar better have his back

She also addressed the claims of Savi and Jigra having similar plots. Divya said, “Both films share the same story, but my film went into production first.” Savi was co-produced by Alia Bhatt’s uncle Mukesh Bhatt.

Apart from the controversy involving Divya and Karan Johar, Mary Kom actor Bijou Thaangjam accused the makers of Jigra of discrimination against actors from Northeast India. Previously, Kangana Ranaut was also seen taking an indirect dig at the makers of Jigra, after the film opened to low numbers. She claimed, “When you destroy women-centric films and make sure that they don’t work, they don’t work, even when you make them. Read that again. Thanks.”

Story continues below this ad

After Divya’s empty theatre post, Karan Johar shared a cryptic note of his own, which read, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools”.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

ED arrests Biswal Tradelink’s MD in fake bank guarantee case, to confront him with Anil Ambani

1 hr ago

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Partha Sarathi Biswal, managing director of Biswal Tradelink Private Limited (BTPL), in connection with an alleged fake bank guarantee case. “A probe has revealed that BTPL fraudulently arranged and submitted fake bank guarantees of Rs 68.2 crore along with forged State Bank of India (SBI) endorsements and fabricated confirmations for a Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) tender. For providing this bank guarantee, BTPL received Rs 5.40 crore from Reliance Power Limited,” an official said. Seven days after searching multiple locations in Mumbai linked to Anil Ambani, the ED has summoned the industrialist on August 5 to join the investigation into a money laundering case linked to a multi-crore bank loan fraud involving companies of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The ED has also issued a lookout circular (LOC) to prevent him from travelling abroad. BTPL was one of the companies where the ED recently conducted searches. Biswal's arrest was made on August 1 and he was produced before a Delhi Court, which sent him to their custody till August 6. "We are planning to confront him with Anil Ambani during questioning and will try to verify some facts," an official said. The ED has initiated its investigation against BTPL based on an FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Delhi Police, against the firm, its directors and others, for allegedly providing a fake bank guarantee which was submitted to SECI. “During the investigation, the ED has collected several pieces of evidence and they confirmed the use of fake documents in the name of certain banks and fake email IDs in the name of SBI. Probe has also revealed that BTPL, a small company incorporated in 2019, maintained multiple undisclosed bank accounts and carried out transactions disproportionate to its declared turnover. Many violations of the Companies Act are found, and no statutory records are found at registered addresses, such as books of accounts, shareholders’ registers, etc,” the official said. The probe also revealed that dummy directors were used solely to sign documents, and found at least seven undisclosed bank accounts of the company. “Proceeds of crime, of crores of rupees, have been traced to these accounts,” the official added. A spokesperson for Reliance Power said the ED case related to a bank guarantee. “The company and its subsidiaries acted bona fide and have been a victim of fraud, forgery and a conspiracy. The company has made due disclosure on this to the stock exchanges on November 7, 2024. A criminal complaint in this regard has already been lodged with the Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police against the third party on October 16, 2024. The due process of law will follow," said the spokesperson.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment From Mani Ratnam nearly firing AR Rahman to Shammi Kapoor rejecting RD Burman: Bollywood bonds that stood the test of time