Filmmaker Karan Johar has hit back at a troll who asked the 51-year-old to get a ‘bahu (daughter-in-law)’ for his mother, calling it one of the most “offensive” comments on social media as the bahu label comes with “ridiculous regressive baggage”.

The comment in question suggested that Karan should bring home a daughter-in-law for his mother, insinuating that it must be difficult for her to pass her time alone. Johar responded with a powerful message, rejecting the idea that a daughter-in-law should be treated as a mere pastime.

"Of all the crazy trolls, the abuse and judgement I get about my life choices and my way of being, I find comments like these the most offensive," Karan wrote on his Instagram stories.

He continued, "Firstly, no 'bahu' should be a time pass for anyone's mother... a 'bahu' is a label which comes with ridiculous regressive baggage... she is an individual in her own right and can pass her time how she likes personally and professionally."

The director went on to highlight the significant role his mother plays in his life and the lives of his children. "My mother co-parents my children with me and doesn't need any 'time pass'... her life is complete by the love we receive from her, and we do our best to give it back with all our heart," he wrote, emphasising that if he were to have a partner, it would be to fill his own void, not anyone else's.

Karan had previously revealed that the trolling that followed the inaugural episode of Koffee With Karan Season 8, featuring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, angered him.

"I considered it one of our finest episodes. They were incredibly candid, sincere, poured their hearts out, and were incredibly gracious. And then people talk about irrelevant things. What right do they have to pry into someone's personal life and marriage? They should focus on their own lives," he had said.