Nepotism rocks, the trio shouted taking a dig at Kangana Ranaut

The Kangana Ranaut-Karan Johar nepotism controversy resurfaced, this time on the stage of the 2017 IIFA (International Indian Film Academy Awards) awards show in New York.

The ceremony’s hosts — Karan Johar and Saif Ali Khan — took a dig at the actress when Varun Dhawan joined them on the stage to receive the award for the best performance in a comic role for Dishoom.

Saif raked up the nepotism issue when he joked that the actor had made it big in the industry because of his father, director David Dhawan. “You are here because of your pappa,” the Rangoon actor quipped. To which Varun replied, “You are here because of your mummy (referring to Sharmila Tagore).”

Also Read Karan Johar vs Kangana Ranaut: Who said what

Soon, Johar joined them and said he was in the industry because of his father, filmmaker Yash Johar. The trio then shouted, “Nepotism rocks”. Saif and Varun then sang “Bole chudiyaan” from Johar’s film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..

But the director quickly reacted, saying, “Kangana nahi bole toh achha hai (It’s good you didn’t say Kangana).”

Kangana had fuelled the nepotism debate when she appeared on the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director’s chat show Koffee with Karan.

She had referred to Johar as “the flag bearer of nepotism”, which had not gone down well with the director.