Karan Johar once fainted in college. His mother once called him ‘large and not capable of being a hero'. What changed his life years later?

Director Karan Johar is one of the most renowned names in Indian cinema. Beyond his work behind the camera, the filmmaker has also been known for his candid conversations about personal struggles. After months of speculation surrounding his weight loss, Karan recently addressed the chatter himself, opening up about the long, complicated journey that began in his childhood.

Karan Johar opens up about weight loss

Speaking during a conversation on Manyavar, Karan admitted that maintaining fitness has never been straightforward for him. While weight loss is often associated with strict routines, he explained that his profession makes structure almost impossible. According to Karan, film work rarely allows weekends or holidays, and the constant pressure of deadlines and urgent calls disrupts any attempt at a disciplined lifestyle. He added that stepping away from work, even briefly, often feels like a luxury he cannot afford.

Looking back at his early years, Karan recalled how his parents used to react to it. His father, late producer Yash Johar, remained optimistic and believed his son could eventually become an actor, often dismissing Karan’s weight as temporary.



However, his mother Hiroo Johar took a more direct approach. Karan shared that she frequently pointed out his size and openly questioned whether he could ever be a hero on screen, a reality check he now recalls with honesty rather than resentment.

The filmmaker said his awareness of his body intensified when he entered college. For the first time, he had to step out of school uniforms and wear regular clothes. Surrounded by peers who appeared fitter, Karan admitted that the contrast shook his confidence and pushed him to attempt weight loss seriously.

Those early efforts, however, were far from healthy. Karan revealed that he experimented with multiple crash diets, including the GM diet and the Atkins diet. One attempt proved especially dangerous when he fainted during an Accounts class in college due to the extreme nature of the high-protein plan. The incident alarmed his family, and Karan said his mother immediately banned him from following such diets again.

Did Karan Johar use Ozempic to reduce weight?

Addressing recent rumours, Karan firmly denied using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. He clarified that his transformation came after medical intervention rather than shortcuts. During a visit to a health resort, tests revealed that he was severely intolerant to gluten and lactose, something he had lived with unknowingly for years. Further medical evaluations also showed irregular thyroid levels, which explained why his weight refused to respond despite repeated efforts.



After cutting gluten and sugar from his diet, switching to alternatives like almond milk, and starting thyroid medication, Karan said the changes finally began to show. He added that swimming and paddle ball have now become part of his routine, helping him stay active without pressure.

Now, the filmmaker often takes over the internet by dropping new looks which is inspiring others as well.