Karan Johar often dominates the internet with his candid opinions, style statements and knack for stirring up conversations around Bollywood. Fresh off celebrating nine years of his romantic drama Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the filmmaker once again found himself in the spotlight, not for a film announcement, but for the way he broke down the “business brains” of some of the industry’s biggest stars.
Karan Johar calls Kartik Aaryan 'marketing genius'
In a recent conversation with Curly Tales, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director almost slipped into the role of a professor, evaluating which Bollywood actors would ace an MBA if given the chance. Known for his sharp industry insight, Karan made interesting parallels between the entertainment world and business strategy, naming Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh as examples of actors who’ve mastered different “corporate” skills.
Starting with Kartik Aaryan, an actor he once had a professional fallout with, Karan surprised many by showering him with praise. He called Kartik a “marketing genius,” explaining that the actor has built his career and brand from scratch with smart choices and an understanding of how to connect with his audience. According to Karan, Kartik’s self-promotion, timing, and consistency make him a case study in strategic personal branding.
The compliment carries special weight given their past. Back in 2021, Kartik was reportedly dropped from Dharma Productions’ Dostana 2, sparking rumours of creative differences and alleged unprofessionalism. The project was shelved, and both sides chose silence over public confrontation. However, the ice finally broke on Kartik’s birthday in 2023, when Karan officially announced a new film with the actor, hinting that the two had moved on.
During the same chat, Karan went on to discuss other stars who, in his view, possess strong business instincts. He described Shah Rukh Khan as the ultimate “finance guru,” stating that the superstar has an exceptional grasp of money and long-term investments. Karan pointed out that SRK’s intellect and decision-making extend far beyond acting, from film production to brand building, making him someone who could easily teach a masterclass in financial acumen.
Karan also spoke about Aamir Khan, calling him the calm and collected type who could handle crisis management like a pro. According to him, Aamir’s composed nature and analytical mind make him the ideal person to take charge when things go south.
And when it came to Ranveer Singh, Karan’s take was full of admiration. He jokingly said Ranveer could be crowned “Salesperson of the Year” because of his infectious charm and energy. The filmmaker believes Ranveer can sell anything, be it a film, a product, or just pure excitement, with enthusiasm that’s impossible to resist.
Dharma Productions' upcoming movies
Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan is now back on track with Dharma Productions and has two projects lined up: the rom-com Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri opposite Ananya Panday, and the horror-comedy Naagzilla. From finance to marketing, crisis management to salesmanship, Karan Johar’s “MBA ratings” prove that Bollywood, too, has its fair share of boardroom-ready stars.
Karan Johar calls Kartik Aaryan 'marketing genius'
In a recent conversation with Curly Tales, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director almost slipped into the role of a professor, evaluating which Bollywood actors would ace an MBA if given the chance. Known for his sharp industry insight, Karan made interesting parallels between the entertainment world and business strategy, naming Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh as examples of actors who’ve mastered different “corporate” skills.Starting with Kartik Aaryan, an actor he once had a professional fallout with, Karan surprised many by showering him with praise. He called Kartik a “marketing genius,” explaining that the actor has built his career and brand from scratch with smart choices and an understanding of how to connect with his audience. According to Karan, Kartik’s self-promotion, timing, and consistency make him a case study in strategic personal branding.
The compliment carries special weight given their past. Back in 2021, Kartik was reportedly dropped from Dharma Productions’ Dostana 2, sparking rumours of creative differences and alleged unprofessionalism. The project was shelved, and both sides chose silence over public confrontation. However, the ice finally broke on Kartik’s birthday in 2023, when Karan officially announced a new film with the actor, hinting that the two had moved on.
During the same chat, Karan went on to discuss other stars who, in his view, possess strong business instincts. He described Shah Rukh Khan as the ultimate “finance guru,” stating that the superstar has an exceptional grasp of money and long-term investments. Karan pointed out that SRK’s intellect and decision-making extend far beyond acting, from film production to brand building, making him someone who could easily teach a masterclass in financial acumen.
Karan also spoke about Aamir Khan, calling him the calm and collected type who could handle crisis management like a pro. According to him, Aamir’s composed nature and analytical mind make him the ideal person to take charge when things go south.
And when it came to Ranveer Singh, Karan’s take was full of admiration. He jokingly said Ranveer could be crowned “Salesperson of the Year” because of his infectious charm and energy. The filmmaker believes Ranveer can sell anything, be it a film, a product, or just pure excitement, with enthusiasm that’s impossible to resist.
