Karan Johar gets candid in a recent interview, admitting he knows why he's the "cool" target for online hate. Unfazed, he even had a message for his critics. "I get it; I can be annoying," says the filmmaker.

Starting off in a small acting role and quickly pivoting to assistant director for the 1995 blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Karan Johar didn't wait long to make his own directorial imprint on Bollywood. Just three years later, he unveiled the romantic drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, a film that not only set box-office records but also became a cultural phenomenon. With that, KJo—as he's affectionately known—became a force to be reckoned with in the Indian film industry.

But even icons aren't immune to criticism. In a recent, revealing interview with Film Companion, Johar delved into the complexities of being a high-profile personality frequently on the receiving end of public scrutiny. He's aware that he's become somewhat of a polarizing figure, one who people either admire for his unapologetic flamboyance and success, or criticize for the same reasons.

In a candid conversation in Toronto with Sneha Menon Desai, Karan Johar didn't hold back when confronted with the love-hate relationship the public has with him. He acknowledges the "coolness" of disliking him, dissecting his own persona with a mix of humor and insight.

"Look, I'm 50 and still pouting for selfies. I dazzle on the red carpet in outfits that are anything but understated. I can be sassy on talk shows and laugh like there's no tomorrow," Johar quipped. "Flip on your TV, and you're likely to find me—endorsing a brand, judging talent, hosting a show—you name it, I'm there. It can be overwhelming, even grating if you don't actually know me."

KJo is fully aware that his omnipresence across multiple platforms can be a bit too much for some. "It's easy to hate someone you don't really know," he admits. "So, while I get why the hate comes my way, I find it kind of amusing. I get it; I can be a lot to handle, especially if you only know the larger-than-life, on-screen version of me."

In a soul-baring moment, Karan Johar had a heartfelt plea for his critics: "Give me the benefit of the doubt." In his appeal, the film mogul turns vulnerable, shedding his glamorous, unflappable exterior to reveal a softer, more human side.

"Just remember, I'm as emotionally fragile and vulnerable as anyone else," he confides. "I've had my heart shattered in love, faced the immense challenge of single parenthood, mourned the early loss of my father, and despite it all, I continue to hustle—still chasing that elusive validation."

Karan Johar opens up a window into his life that goes beyond the flashy headlines and controversial talk show quips. "I'm no different from you or anyone else," he stresses. "So to those who've never really known me, but feel compelled to judge me, maybe give me a chance. You'll find that there's a lot more love to me than you might think."

In this candid admission, Johar invites us to reconsider our preconceptions, beckoning us to see that beneath the stardom is a person just as complicated and deserving of understanding as the rest of us.