Karan Johar on body dysmorphia; the need to put out lights during intimacy: ‘I don't want you to see…’

Karan Johar opened up about struggling with body dysmorphia in a recent interview. He spoke about how nothing has changed through the years.

Director Karan Johar opened up in a recent interview about his struggles with body dysmorphia. Talking to Faye D’Souza, Karan claimed that nothing has changed through the years and that he sought the help of a mental health professional to overcome his issues. (Also Read: John Wick producers developing English remake of Dharma Productions' Kill, say they have ‘big shoes to fill’)

‘I feel very awkward’

Karan Johar talked about not feeling comfortable in his own skin.

Talking about feeling uncomfortable in his skin, 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 added that even while entering the pool with his closest friends, he stays in his robe until the last minute. “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.”

Karan Johar on mental health

Kill, produced by Dharma Productions, released in theatres this Friday. He has also produced Bad Newz, which will be released on July 19.