In a sparkling conversation that is as surprising as it is revealing, Karan Johar told PeepingMoon.com a secret about himself that he said nobody knew. When asked in the hour-long podcast ‘BenchMARK Conversations’ with Mark Manuel for one truth about himself that would probably “break the internet”, the flamboyant and influential filmmaker, TV impresario and fashion icon said, “I don’t know if anyone will believe it, but the irony of all ironies is that I actually have social anxiety… and I’ve been addressing it for over two  years with my psychiatrist!”

KJo, who is known to wow live audiences at international film and fashion events with his witty commentary and powerful presence, admitted to being strangely “uncomfortable at crowded places and parties” when he is among people he knows and who know him. “The anxiety starts building as soon as I am invited, say, to a close friend’s party or event. I start feeling like, ‘Oh my God – I have to go, what am I going to do?’ If you find me at an event like this, I’ll be next to a door or window, because I want to leave, I don’t want to overstay. I actually have a deep level of social anxiety.”

The first time this happened at a crowded party, Karan Johar thought he was having a cardiac attack! His GP told him it was an anxiety attack. He revealed he has been seeing a psychiatrist who put him on medication to calm him down and counselling “because talking helps”. But, here’s the irony, the same KJo says, “Put me on stage where there is an audience of 20,000 people, ask me to speak or host, and I’m fine. But if I come in the middle of a crowd, I’ll not be okay. I actually am comfortable among strangers. I love strangers!”

 Watch ‘BenchMARK Conversations’ with Karan Johar on: