The Dharma Productions head honcho also clarifies that Chopra is not an employee of the company, reiterates that no narcotic substance was consumed at the controversial 2019 party at his residence

By Our Correspondent

Karan Johar and his Dharma Productions has been facing the heat after (reportedly) one of its employees was picked up by the Narcotics Control Bureau today [25 September] from Mumbai. Dharma Productions Executive Producer Kshitij Ravi Prasad was picked from his home and grilled by the NCB which is investigating the drug angle in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Amidst the media pressure and the social media trolling, Karan Johar has broken his silence. The filmmaker-producer has reiterated that contrary to perception, and certain sensational media reporting, there was no narcotic substance that was consumed at his party in 2019. Johar has also clarified that he doesn’t know Kshitij Ravi Prasad and Anubhav Chopra at a personal level, with the latter not even being an employee of Dharma Productions.

“In view of the current malicious campaign, I am reiterating that the allegations are completely baseless and false. No narcotics substance was consumed in the party. I WOULD LIKE TO UNEQUIVOCALLY ONCE AGAIN STATE THAT I DO NOT CONSUME NARCOTICS AND I DID NOT PROMOTE OR ENCOURAGE CONSUMPTION OF ANY SUCH SUBSTANCE,” Johar said in his statement.

The Dharma Production head honcho also made it clear that as opposed to some eye popping headlines, Prasad and Chopra are not his ‘aides’.

“I would like to place on record that I do not know these individuals personally and neither of these two individuals are my “aides” / “close aides”. NEITHER I, NOR DHARMA PRODUCTIONS CAN BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT PEOPLE DO IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. THESE ALLEGATIONS DO NOT PERTAIN TO DHARMA PRODUCTIONS.” clarified Johar.

The producer, director also made it clear that Anubhav Chopra was not an employee but had only worked as a second assistant director on a project basis with Dharma Productions for a period of two months between Novembers 2011 and January 2012. And thereafter as an assistant director for a short film in January, 2013. Johar stated that Chopra wasn’t associated with Dharma Productions thereafter.

As for Kshitij Ravi Prasad, Johar clarified that he worked as an executive producer on a contract basis for Dharmatic Entertainment, the sister concern of Dharma Productions, in November 2019. However, that project got shelved.

Johar has threatened legal action against erroneous, malicious media reporting.

Read the full statement below

Karan Johar and the 2019 party drew controversy after a white-powder like substance was captured in a video filmed by one of his star guests. Actor Vicky Kaushal was seated next to the table. KJO and Dharma Productions had dismissed the speculative reports then by saying that that it was no substance but a reflection of light on the table. Former MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa of the Shiromani Akali Dal had written to the Narcotics Control Bureau to probe Johar and all his star guests. Sirsa alleged that Johar and his guests were having a drug party then.