Karan Johar, a director, is arguably one of the most perceptive observers of the film industry, despite the fact that he likes to claim that he leaves the economic side of things up to his Dharma Productions CEO. Karan discussed the problems with Bollywood in particular during an appearance on a roundtable discussion hosted by Galatta Plus. He also shared some intriguing information about how he determines the likelihood that a film would succeed.
Karan said that while u2018normalcyu2019 has returned to cinemagoing across Indian film industries, the Hindi industry is experiencing problems in particular. u201cWhatu2019s happening in Hindi, the major belts u2014 and Iu2019m going to get slightly technical so that everybody understands u2014 Mumbai and Delhi, which account for 60% to 70% of the number that comes in, they havenu2019t been behaving as consistently as they were pre-pandemic. So, what has been working is only the spectacle films, even if theyu2019re dubbed films.u201d he said.
Pointing out that u2018the biggest hitsu2019 in the Hindi speaking belt u2018are dubbed filmsu2019 u2014 KGF: Chapter 2, RRR and Baahubali 2 u2014 Karan said, u201cThe market has been behaving very erraticallyu2026 Always know, if the heartland and Gujarat step on board, thereu2019s nothing stopping you. The moment those two territories are distant from your film, you can never do a very large number. So, Gujarat, and CPCI Rajasthan have to step on board, and thatu2019s just how the business model works.u201d
Video Courtesy: Galatta Plus
He claimed that Hindi filmmakers were originally trend-setters but, in the 1980s, when they started making remake after remake of South Indian classics, they somehow turned into trend-chasers. After Hum Aapke Hain Koun, everyoneu2014including myselfu2014decided to hop on the bandwagon of love, and Shah Rukh Khan was created, Karan stated, taking responsibility for his role in the issue. We let go of all our roots from the 70s, and in 2001 when Lagaan was nominated for an Academy Award, we were like, u2018Oh, now weu2019ll do these kind of filmsu2019 right up till the 2010s.My Name is Khan is still a root of Lagaan, in my head, which released alongside Dabangg, which again (changed trends) and people were like, u2018Now letu2019s start making commercial films againu2019. Thatu2019s the problem, we actually lack the spine and lack the convictionu2026u201d
Singling out the films starring Amitabh Bachchan, written by the iconic duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, Karan said that their style was mimicked across the nation. But Hindi cinema turned its back on Salim-Javedu2019s films. u201cWe, who should be very grateful to Salim saab and Javed saab, we let go of that cinema and went to Switzerland.u201d According to Karan, the expenses associated with making a movie starring newbies are unjustifiable in the current environment. It’s useless to promote these movies, he declared, pointing out that 8000 people flocking to a mall to gawk at the actors doesn’t even result in 80 people purchasing theatre tickets to see their movies.
The Hindi film industry has produced only a handful of bonafide hits this year, but several more high-profile movies have failed tragically. Of the hits, only The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Drishyam 2 have generated significantly bigger revenue than their production budgets. And while Gangubai Kathiawadi and Brahmastra also did big business, they cost much more to make.
Karan Johar is returning to directing with his upcoming film u2018Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.u2019
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