Looking from the business perspective, the year 2022 saw very few Hindi films performing well at the box office. Speaking on the matter, filmmaker Karan Johar opened up on the dynamics of films, their genre, and what works and not works to get the audience in theatres. It all happened during the Master’s Union podcast when Karan was asked to explain the process he follows before deciding which film he wants to produce. In his response, Karan spoke about the digital revolution and how it has divided the genres while comparing the success of Kantara with the 1970s release Jai Santoshi Maa.
In his words, Karan says, “It is very clear that the digital revolution has divided genres and there are certain genres that will just not work unless you have a big theatrical experience. So the films that will work are horror-comedies – just horror, may not work and just comedy may not either – and big event, spectacle films like Dhoom, Pathaan, War, etc. And then, of course, the Indian BIG spectacle like Baahubali, RRR, KGF 2, Pushpa, etc. will work because these films are rooted in India.”
He further added, “Then there are always the outliers that don’t conform to my theories but suddenly break through in theatres. Like no one saw Kantara coming – I don’t think even the Kannada Film Industry thought it would be that big. It was amazing; people loved it, went and applauded, and watched it for its genius.”
To elaborate, he said, “Everyone’s minds are blown by Kantara which goes on to do footfalls that are close to KGF 2’s in Karnataka. That’s crazy because the cost-to-profit for Kantara is massive – I would only compare Kantara’s cost-to-profit with a film that released in the ’70s called Jai Santoshi Maa, which actually had done business close to that of Sholay’s!”
Coming to the professional front, the 50-year-old filmmaker is all set to make his directorial comeback with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, scheduled to release on April 28, 2023.
