Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar took to his Instagram account and the internet at large to announce that he would be going on a ‘digital detox’ for one whole week. His Instagram Story posted first thing in the morning said: ‘I am signing off for a week with a digital detox. No doom scrolling! No DMs! No posts! May the universe grant me the ability to resist at all costs.’
This course of actions was perceived necessary, considering the adversity that the director needed to go through in the recent days. His own Homebound was one of the participating films in India’s Oscars race which made it to the top lists but was not able to secured a final nomination. The online outrage towards the individuals in the industry itself especially women and female celebrities were topics which were which have been bothering him.
Based on Karan’s behavior on social media and his retreat during such occasions is not rare for the individual’s personality. The COVID-19 crisis saw him quit Twitter, as he had no interest in such negativity, and used Instagram to indulge his film promotions, record his personal milestone celebrations, and in response to attacks his vendetta against trolling was on the rise. This particular break is sought to tame the hurried and nonexistent lightning speed by which every normal online comment—and reviews—are churned out.
why the digital detox matters
A week off from doomscrolling and DMs is much more than just a nod to old traditions for people in the public eye. Most notably, the celebrities have to deal with more of such criticism and, furthermore, very quick feedbacks may be disruptive in the case of creative processes as that most definitely impacts mental health. The letter he wrote, though, accounts for that; he asked for the ‘strength to pull away’, implying that even though the platforms are designed to keep you entertained, sometimes you have to resist.
Here is an example of his more recent statements. He publicly criticized bullies who were after Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan on the eve of the release of a major film, saying they are actors and the real affection from an audience is what actually counts not the online commotion. There was also a bit of celebration in the success of the movies where he remarked that even up to today, people still love the movies that touch them emotionally.
Homebound and the awards trek
A film called Homebound was created, produced by Karan who produced and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan starred Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor. The feature was shortlisted to represent the country in the Oscars, but was not successful in making the nominations. This along with the reaction that the public has after the awards are when other awards and festivals are held becomes competing which may in turn lead actors working in the film industry to quit the profession.
Upon making movies, the awards circuit can be considered both a privilege as well as a stressor. Some of the things that individuals continuously talk about when it comes to the awards create the various moods and foci. A short social media break gives maximizes the reflection without inventing instant communication.
Digital Detox as a Creative and Wellness Tool
It is not all about defending oneself from negativity by placing surveillance on online platforms, there are other gains to such disengagement. It brings back focus, invigorates creativity, reverses insomnia and enables upsurge in relations with friends and family. To one, who is managing filming, holidays, promoting and attending an industry event, a offline week is likely to take away the mental confusion and bring some excitement back into what they do.
A fairly large number of professionals, especially those in the creative community, treat digital turn-offs as something of a planned rest from the work to go over specs, do some designing, or just relax without any technology. Karan’s blunt invitation to the ‘universe’ presents it as something personal, almost spiritual, the breaking point which signifies an absolute stop in the do-this-work-do-that-work agenda.
Implications for their fans and industry practitioners
Most fans receive information about the activities of their favorite celebrities through used social media. One may also seek to promote a project by sending out a press release, and while this may temporarily put a damper on the conversation, it would not cause holding for long, most of the time would pick up where they left off.
Experience tells us however that a break in its relationship is also a period for adjusting one’s perceptions and actual observation. Making the decision to take a step back and emphasizing the importance of live experiences and activities will shift the focus towards less online talk and it especially calls for non-virtual consumption to lean on such as movies.
As for teams working in PR or other associations, there is a lesson here to regard the channels in a different light: critical information must be given through official means, press briefings, interviews, etc., and the first cuts should not be omitted. In the end, social media is there, easily within reach and vizual communication is the only weaponry in the fight for the ideas around films and the heroes of those films.
The detox Karan is undertaking this week is quite a personal and yet a teaching experience. One must look at how digital life and the public life interact, and how this gives way to understanding the necessity of managed connectivity or rather the management of one’s interaction with the media for the purpose of sanity and for the purpose of supporting the ability to create.
The Anticipation is Building
At this point, industry professionals and fans anticipate his returning to work soon and how fast he will be itching to hit the floor again. With or without great enthusiasm, anticipation as well as nervous excitement at the thought of more albums may warrant some kind of abeyance – a time off not only for him but also for all who end up feeling vulnerable due to being online all the time.
