As per recent reports, when asked in an interview about the biggest issue troubling Bollywood, Karan Johar responded with a striking statement, calling out the prevailing "herd mentality." He elaborated on how this mindset is stifling creativity in the industry, stating, "I think it is everybody grappling to do what others are doing," criticizing the trend of copying successful films.
By making such a bold statement, he essentially implied that creativity is dying in Bollywood, with films now being made primarily for box office success rather than artistic expression. According to him, there's a growing trend where filmmakers replicate formulas of previously successful movies instead of exploring original ideas. If a film performs well at the box office, suddenly the genre it belongs to becomes a trend—leading to a wave of similar films. Currently, horrorand comedy are the trending genres, and many projects seem to be following a copy-paste formula. Remakes are prioritized, while original scripts are often overlooked, suggesting that the industry is playing it safe and avoiding risk.
But how honest is this coming from Karan Johar himself?
On one hand, he criticizes Bollywood’s lack of originality and herd mentality. On the other, he is widely known as the "God of Nepotism" and has openly admitted that he will continue launching star kids. He criticizes the lack of original stories and fresh talent, yet consistently casts known faces and seems to make choices that ensure box office success rather than fostering innovation.
Isn’t it hypocritical?
While he speaks of originality, his own production house is seen replicating successful show formats—such as Bigg Boss, MTV Splitsvilla, and now The Traitors India.
Karan Johar launched star kids in films like Student of the Year 2 and Naadaniyaan, starring Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan, further proving that he continues to prioritize nepotism over innovation. Many critics even argue that he "launches star kids to create flops."
While Karan Johar's concerns about Bollywood's herd mentality are indeed valid, his own approach to filmmaking seems to contradict his words. As a prominent figure in the industry, his actions carry significant influence—making it all the more important to address the gap between what he preaches and what he practices.
His recent criticism of Bollywood’s creative stagnation could very well be seen as a publicity stunt—perhaps aimed at generating buzz around his current shows, like The Traitors India—rather than a genuine concern for the industry's future.