Karan Johar: Indian films a victim of misconceptions

That Indian films are still considered a song-and-dance routine by the West troubles Karan Johar. The filmmaker feels such "misconceptions" about the country's cinema hinder its growth internationally. Citing examples of films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), and the recent release, Pad Man, the filmmaker says Indian films have much more to offer.

"This stereotypical view can change only when we go out and tell people that we have much more to offer in terms of storytelling and content than just actors dancing around trees. Indian cinema is a victim of misconceptions on the global platform. The way Aamir's [Khan] films have been performing in China proves that we can make a mark globally. But only dialogue initiated by our filmmakers and actors can bring about this change," says Johar.

The filmmaker is in Germany, heading an Indian delegation to Berlinale 2018. The team, also comprising film personalities such as Vani Tripathi, Bhumi Pednekar, Jahnu Barua and Shaji Karun, has been selected and sent to participate in the European Film Market by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry. Johar says such initiatives by the central government are commendable and will contribute in the growth of the entertainment industry.

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The filmmaker, who has presented and produced films such as Baahubali (2017) and The Lunchbox (2013), says people are surprised by the choices he makes as director and producer-presenter. "It is about content. All I am doing as a producer is picking films that speak a global language. This can only happen when the content appeals to the masses superseding the language barrier. It is not necessary that the films I make will coincide with the kind of films I produce or present. My process as a director is mine alone and I do what I am convinced with as a storyteller. But that doesn't mean I am not open to global possibilities of films that I would like to present and produce. The idea is always to take giant leaps for the development of Indian cinema," he says.

The director says if filmmakers from the country want to be visible internationally, they need to be more vocal about their work. "Filmmakers and actors have to get up and do things on their own. I travel the world to speak about my cinema. It is important that a filmmaker develops a voice and acts on that. They can't just sit in offices and think that they are making a big movement in cinema. They need to go out speak about their cinema and the country they produce the films in."

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