One of Bollywood's biggest weekends is coming up this Diwali, with both Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ajay Devgn's Shivaay set to release on the same day.
Now while it may pain people to admit, the Indian internet's biggest troll, Kamaal R. Khan, also happens to be one of its most popular film reviewers.
Over the past week or so, KRK has evidently spent a lot of time tweeting about how Shivaay doesn't stand a chance against KJo's more star-studded film.
I totally agree that #Shivaay can become Ajay Devgan's #Himmatwala2 so congratulations to Entire team in advance.
In a series of tweets, Khan compared Shivaay to Himmatwala, one of Devgn's biggest flops ever.
Well, shit hit the fan last night when Devgn released an audio clip of a phone call between his producer Kumar Mangat and KRK, in which KRK admits to having taken ₹25 lakhs from Johar to take his side in the clash and trash Shivaay.
Hear what self proclaimed no. 1 critic and trade analyst Kamaal R Khan has to say. https://t.co/wRc7moSlsZ
In the exposé, Mangat himself can be heard offering to pay KRK off to stop his negative tweets about his film, while KRK responds by talking about how Devgn never responds to his texts.
Following the release of the clip, KRK tweeted that he was lying about the bribe on the call just to end the conversation with Mangat.
Let me clear it. Karan Johar has never paid me or asked me to bash #Shivaay n you can hear it in the tape. I said 25 Lakhs to avoid Kumar.
In fact, he turned the tables by saying that it was the makers of Shivaay who were offering him money to bash Johar's film.
Kumar+Ajay offered me money to bash #AeDilHaiMushkil as he is offering in the tape also but I refused. I told them that I will do it free.
Of course, he also took the opportunity to brag about himself.
Today both films #Shivaay n #AeDilHaiMushkil got free publicity of millions of ₹ with my name and this is the power of The Brand KRK. G.N.
Today @ajaydevgn has proved that KRK Sirf Ek Naam Nahi Hai Balki Aaj KRK Ek brand Hai.
In a statement released later, Devgn asked for an official investigation into Johar's involvement in the scandal:
"I have been a part of the Indian film industry for the past 25 years and have been associated with over 100 films. My father was a professional action director and I have an emotional connection with this industry.
It therefore pains me to see that people like Kamaal R Khan are holding the film industry to ransom by spreading negativity about films to extort money from producers.
It is very sad that people from our own industry are supporting such elements and spoiling the ethos of the film industry.
I would strongly demand that this be thoroughly investigated by competent authorities to clarify if Karan Johar was indeed involved in this."
While Johar is yet to respond, one of his best friends (who also happens to be Devgn's wife), Kajol, tweeted that she was shocked by the revelations in the tape.
Meanwhile, the paying audience seems to be the only ones making sense right now.
Why on earth have we made KRK this relevant?
Not sure why @ajaydevgn would choose to release a recording in which they are ALSO trying to bribe KRK and THEN take the moral high ground.
Success or failure of a film is not about trending on social media. Finally all that counts is the film.
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