“Haven't contributed to brilliance of cinema yet” - Karan Johar

Bollywood director-producer Karan Johar may have left a mark on the popular culture but believes he is yet to make a notable contribution to the Indian cinema. The 45-year-old filmmaker wishes to direct movies like “Lagaan” and “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”.

“I may have contributed to the pop culture but I don't think I have contributed to the brilliance of cinema as yet,” Johar said, in a masterclass he hosted on 'How to direct a big Bollywood dream' at an ongoing festival.

Citing the example of “Baahubali”, he said, “We need to reinvent... Dependence on stars has to reduce. Content has to take over.” The filmmaker said he believed he should have made more movies and that his 19-year-long career has been a terrible record.

Commenting on his work as a director, Johar said he has never been given his due credit as he is judged for being frequently seen on the small screen. “I'm a talk show host and then I'm dancing on reality shows, which is embarrassing for my family too... So, Raju Hirani, Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar or Anurag Kashyap will be taken more seriously because they are serious filmmakers where as I'm dancing on 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.”

“But I'm ok with that as long as I make that one feature film that I believe I have yet to make, which will supersede any perception or any observation on me and what I represent,” he added. 

Johar praised Aamir Khan, calling him as “the most intelligent cinematic mind” in the industry, especially after giving a blockbuster like “Dangal”. The director said he wants to work with the actor but nothing concrete has come their way. “I don't want to be the one who gave him the bad film... I'm over-nervous,” he said. 

Source: TOI