Veteran filmmaker Karan Johar on Saturday said Hindi cinema sometimes falls prey to the herd mentality where filmmakers tend to chase popular trends instead of trying something new. Johar was speaking at ABP Network’s ‘Vichares of India’ conference, where he discussed the rise of the South Indian film industry and lessons for Bollywood.
Johar (49) said in a conversation with film critic Mayank Shekhar, “I am putting myself in the same category when I say Hindi cinema, I feel that sometimes we fall prey to the herd mentality. Let’s go. He gave examples of how there has been an influx of stories that are either biopics or stories from small towns. He said, ‘I have done the same. I didn’t make many paths. I just followed the trend. This is what happens in Hindi cinema. We sometimes lose the courage to stick to our faith.
Johar said the South Indian film industry has been following a different path of making films for the past few years. He was very impressed with the box office collection of SS Rajamouli’s film RRR, which released across the country. He described Rajamouli as the ‘greatest Indian filmmaker’.
On the craze behind Allu Arjun starrer “Pushpa” and its huge success in the Hindi-speaking belt, Johar said people are listening and dancing to Telugu songs from the film today. He believes that the main reason behind the enthusiasm for South films is the digital explosion. He said, “The Hindi film industry is getting inspired by the film industry of the south, what is happening in Hollywood and what is happening digitally.”
The film director said that the South film industry has created its charisma because of its content and its way of showing films. On becoming a star and being a superstar, Johar believes that “it is an artist’s era and we are no longer living in the era of superstars”, especially in Hindi cinema.
When asked how he sees the criticism of Bollywood on social media with some hashtags pointing to ‘hate Bollywood’, ‘Ban Bollywood’ and ‘Hate Bollywood’, Johar said that he was initially impressed by it but later Noticed the love and support received from a large section of people. He said, ‘Emotionally two years ago it was a very difficult time for me and my family.’