Acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar has taken a sharp dig at the current trend-chasing culture in Bollywood, calling out the industry’s “herd mentality” and lack of originality. In a candid interview with Bollywood Hungama, the Dharma Productions head expressed concern over the growing tendency of filmmakers to copy successful formulas, rather than focusing on unique storytelling.
“Everybody Wants to Do What Others Are Doing”
When asked about the biggest problem Bollywood is facing today, Karan didn’t hold back. “I think it is everybody grappling to do what others are doing,” he said. “We see Pushpa running and catering so strongly to the tier-2 and tier-3 audiences, suddenly, we will see 20 others wanting to do the same. You see Chhaava working, everybody would want to make historicals. Stree and everybody wants to make horror comedies.”
He emphasized that the success of those films came not from following a trend, but from fresh, strong concepts in underexplored genres. “Those worked because they were individually strong, and there was no other option in that genre. It was a unique thought that made those films work.”
“My Universe Is Cinema”
Karan also distanced himself from the ongoing fad of cinematic universes—be it spy, cop, or horror-based. “Someone asked me the other day, ‘Do you have a universe?’ I was like, ‘As in?’ They were like, ‘A spy universe or a cop universe.’ I was like, ‘My universe is cinema itself.’” He made it clear that his priority is storytelling, not building franchises just to ride a wave.
“I’m not here to build universes, I’m here to tell stories,” Karan affirmed. “In that story, if there’s a universe, then why not? But I won’t manufacture one just because it’s trending.”
A Busy Year with Homebound
Karan Johar recently walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 for the premiere of Homebound, a film produced under his Dharma banner. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in pivotal roles. The film, already receiving critical acclaim, underlines Johar’s focus on meaningful cinema over formulaic repetition.
As Bollywood continues to evolve, Johar’s remarks come as a bold reminder that originality and passion for storytelling must remain the driving forces of Indian cinema—not just the pressure to recreate what’s already succeeded.
Sources By Agencies
