Karan Johar has recently opened up about his childhood insecurities, revealing that he underwent voice coaching to deepen his voice because he was ashamed of sounding effeminate. He felt pressured to conform to societal expectations of masculinity.

Growing up, Johar was often called a "pansy" and teased for his feminine demeanor. He felt like he was failing his parents because he wasn't the son they "should have had". This led him to believe that he needed to change himself to be accepted.

At the age of 15, Johar began speech therapy to add baritone to his voice after being repeatedly told he "sounded like a girl". He attended voice modulation classes where a mentor suggested that his "effeminate voice" would make life challenging. He kept these lessons a secret from his father, Yash Johar, telling him he was attending computer classes instead. Johar found the voice exercises "embarrassing and torturous".

Johar now reflects on this experience with regret, stating that he would never subject his own children to the same pressure. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and encourages his children to "be themselves", a lesson he wishes he had learned earlier.

In addition to voice modulation, Johar also battled body image issues from a young age. He recounted a painful memory of being ridiculed for dancing at a talent competition when he was three years old. He also revealed that he still struggles with body dysmorphia, which affects his self-esteem and daily life. He avoids swimming in public, prefers oversized clothes, and insists on keeping the lights off during intimate moments.