Karan Johar speaks out in response to criticism of his relationship with Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt made her Bollywood debut in Karan Johar's Student Of The Year in 2012, and the two have maintained a close connection ever since. Karan and Alia remain close friends ten years later, and the director frequently shares his feelings for the actress as he did on season 7 of his talk show Koffee With Karan.

On social media in recent weeks, netizens have questioned and trolled the director. After receiving criticism for his relationship with Alia, Karan has now officially opened up about it.

In a recent interview, Johar said, "She's the first person I felt parental about. She's the first person I felt like I had a parental instinct for. I love her and the country knows she's one of our finest actors. I have a tremendous amount of love, respect, and admiration and I'm allowed to say what I want about her. So, if I cry at her good news and I really feel good then I'm allowed to. I'm like a parent to her. Why should I be pretending to be optics? I genuinely love her and I want to say it all the time."

The Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) director went on to declare that he truly loved Alia Bhatt and that he was free to say it despite the online hate he receives.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar will be collaborating with Alia Bhatt on his directorial comeback Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.