Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap stated that casting Karan Johar in his film 'Bombay Velvet' was a natural choice, impressed by Johar's acting. However, Kashyap faced backlash, with many followers feeling he had "sold out" by collaborating with Johar, whom they perceived as a rival. This perception, Kashyap noted, led some to believe it marked the beginning of his career's decline, a sentiment that persists.