Karan Johar on the need to turn off lights during intimacy and body dysmorphia: ‘I don't want you to see…’

Director Karan Johar talked candidly about his battles with body dysmorphia in a recent interview. Speaking with Faye D'Souza, Karan asserted that nothing has changed over the years and that he sought a mental health professional's assistance in order to get past his problems.
The filmmaker opened up about feeling uncomfortable in his skin and wearing oversized clothes all the time.Karan said, “I have body dysmorphia, I am very awkward getting into a pool. I don’t know how to do it without feeling pathetic. I’ve tried very hard to overcome it. No matter what the success you achieve, no matter who you think you are in your own head, I’m always in oversized clothes. Even if I lose the weight, and I try very hard, I’m always battling with it, but I’m always feeling I’m fat. So I don’t want you to see any part of my body.”
He continued by saying that he waits until the very last minute to change into his robe, even when he is in the pool with his best pals. He further added, “Nothing has changed since I was eight. I self-body shame myself all the time. The day you feel you’re looking good…doesn’t matter what you’ve achieved. Even in situations of intimacy, I need to put the lights out. I’ve been to therapy for it. All these issues…all fester and create mental health issues. I even took medication after suffering from a panic attack.”
On the work, Karan Johar’s recently produced film ‘Kill’ released in theatres on July 05, 2024. He has also produced Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk starrer film ‘Bad Newz’, which will be released on July 19.