Creative people are not afraid to tell stories they want to… We are sensitive, not afraid: Karan Johar

Johar, who was in conversation with Indian Express Group Executive Director Anant Goenka and film critic Shubhra Gupta, said: “Constraints have always existed. Filmmakers have always wanted to make films that are sensitive to issues and that’s perhaps what the country is sensitive to. Filmmakers now have a legal department who will tell you not to go down a certain path. So, there is check and balance happening.”

Highlighting the negativity in the last two or three years, Johar said: “It has not been easy on me or the industry. So much of this negativity was unjustified. People say things on television, Twitter and social media loosely. They don’t realise the impact it can have on the mental health of those at the receiving end.”

Given this kind of atmosphere that preceded the release of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the film’s success has come as a validation for Johar, who recently completed 25 years as a director. “I needed a pat on my back and someone to tell me 25 years later you are still alright,” he said.

Karan Johar with actor Ananya Panday at Express Adda in Mumbai Monday. The event, hosted by Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, and Shubhra Gupta, Film Critic, The Indian Express, wrapped up with a ‘rapid-fire’ segment in which Panday also did a Q&A with Johar. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

One of the most-talked about scenes in Rocky Aur Rani… shows actors Tota Roy Chowdhury and Ranveer Singh dancing to Dola Re Dola from Devdas (2002). This scene, apart from being gender subversive, is also connected to Johar’s past experiences.

“I was raised by progressive parents (producer Yash Johar and Hiroo Johar). They gave me the freedom to be who I was. I was an effeminate child, different from kids in my class or my neighbourhood,” he said.

Johar found it difficult to handle it when the term “pansy” was “thrown” at him. This film, he said, is a form of his rebellion. “There is a latent anger that you build with what has happened in the last couple of years and then you have a way of saying that ‘nothing else matters but your individuality’,” he said.

Addressing the issue of vitriolic attacks on the Hindi film industry on social media, the director said, “If this film had failed, there would have been a million fingers pointing out at you saying, ‘see there is an impact’ [of virtual attack]. Now we realise, it is all virtual and it means  nothing. But you have to be strong enough to not get affected by it.”

The director, who debuted with super-hit Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), has made successful big-screen dramas such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), My Name Is Khan (2010), Student of the Year (2012), and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). These movies are known for his unique take on modern relationships.

Express Adda Guest Karan Johar in conversation with Anant Goenka and Shubhra Gupta in Mumbai on Monday. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

Referring to the back-to-back success of the recently released OMG2 and Gadar 2, Johar said: “I never thought there was any problem with what Bollywood was doing. We have had bad years in the past, and we were having another one or two bad years. It doesn’t mean, ‘Boycott Bollywood’, ‘They are dead’, ‘The South is taking over’. The South is great. What they are doing is amazing. I have a lot of respect for them. I also have a lot of respect for the storytellers we have.”

Citing Gadar 2’s success, the filmmaker said it “has blown everyone’s brains away”.

“All these movies that have done well are riding on one very strong quality, that is, core conviction. They are not looking at validation from anybody else, neither social media nor film critics. Everyone is making personable films that appeal to their sensibilities, and I think that’s what is going to happen, more of that in the future. We will be riding this wave every year,” Johar said.

Express Adda Guest Karan Johar in conversation with Anant Goenka and Shubhra Gupta in Mumbai on Monday.(Express photo by Pradip Das)

Though OTT platforms have become bigger players than before, he said he believes that streaming video services and cinema will benefit from each other since “one is empowering the other”.

“The streaming platforms and the series format has always been a writer’s medium. We, in the cinema, are drawing from that content pool. Therefore, our cinema will be better,” Johar said.

The most heartening development for Hindi cinema this year has been the increased footfall in cinema halls. “Finally, the audience has realised that they have to go to theatres if they want that community experience. People are back to laughing and watching movies together in packed theatres,” Johar said.

Express Adda Guest Karan Johar in conversation with Anant Goenka and Shubhra Gupta in Mumbai on Monday.(Express photo by Pradip Das)

This has coincided with streamers becoming more quality conscious. “If you get them a big star but a sub-standard script”, said Johar, the deal might not work out. “They are reading scripts and watching movies. They pick it up only when they think it’s good. They are not walking into anything with their eyes shut,” he said.

In the final segment of the Adda event, actor Ananya Panday grilled Johar in a rapid-fire round. When she asked the filmmaker about most underrated films, he named Ijaazat (1987) and Ghar (1978). When asked to name an underrated actor, Johar mentioned Tanuja. If he could, Johar said, he would change the ending of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna so that the protagonists “don’t end up happily”. When Panday asked whom he would cast in Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi’s roles if he were to remake Rocky Aur Rani… 35 years from now, he replied, “Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.”

The Express Adda is a series of informal interactions organised by The Indian Express Group and features those at the centre of change. Previous guests at the Adda include Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Health Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and motivational strategist Gaur Gopal Das.