Filmmaker Karan Johar has long been an admirer of SS Rajamouli. He even distributed the Hindi version of Baahubali and has frequently praised Rajamouli’s extraordinary vision. In a recent interview, Karan opened up about his deep respect and admiration for the filmmaker, and how long his ‘obsession’ with Rajamouli has existed. During a conversation with Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel, he clarified that Rajamouli didn't approach him to collaborate in Baahubali, but he did. "I approached him. I was obsessed with Rajamouli from even before. His first ever film is called Student No. 1 and I got the idea for my film's title Student Of The Year from the movie. I love that title. I am that obsessed with Rajamouli sir. I have watched all his films," the filmmaker revealed. Karan Johar added that it was Rana Daggubati who arranged a meeting with SS Rajamouli for him. "Until that time, people from our cinema weren't even aware about the genius of Rajamouli, I knew. I kept asking Rana about Baahubali. Then, he arranged a meeting with Rajamouli sir." ALSO READ | Karan Johar has ‘ethical problem’ with star entourages, wants kids Yash and Roohi to become hair and makeup artists: ‘They are making more money’ Karan also expressed his disappointment over Rajamouli's Makkhi, starring Sudeep, Nani and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, didn't work for the Hindi-speaking audience. However, Eega, the original film, was a smashing hit at the box office. "A film that didn't work for Rajamouli sir in Hindi was Makkhi. According to me, it is one of the best films ever made. Makkhi wasn't marketed properly," he said. The filmmaker continued, "That's why I told him that I think what you've made is spectacular, it's the biggest motion picture of India, and I would love to position it. I was always a big fan and I was very excited about presenting Baahubali. That was in many ways a game changer." For the unversed, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions presented the Hindi versions of the blockbuster Baahubali films. Both films achieved phenomenal box office success, with Baahubali: The Beginning grossing over Rs 650 crore worldwide, and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, earning more than Rs 1,810 crore globally.
