India, Nov. 12 -- Filmmaker Karan Johar has defended actor-couple Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna after the couple faced online backlash over revelations about their relationship on his chat show Koffee With Karan last month. Vijay's revelation that Rashmika had proposed to him nearly 100 times before he considered marriage, and that he went down on one knee only during their pre-wedding festivities, sparked criticism over his behaviour towards her. His remarks about a ring Rashmika wore also drew attention. Speaking to THR India, Karan hit back at those dragging the couple's families into the debate. "Everyone's entitled to an opinion. But when you start telling them what to do in that relationship, I have a very big problem. Who are you? Are you a counsellor? Are you a lawyer? Are you a member of their family?" he said, adding, "Don't demean their families. Their families weren't on that couch." Drawing parallels with the trolling actor-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh faced after discussing their relationship and marriage on Season 8 of his show, Karan called such reactions "downright regressive". Defending Vijay and Rashmika, who married in February this year, he added, "They are beautifully in love. Such good actors in love with each other. They were just being honest about their lives. Since when should honesty be judged?" htc...