In a recent episode of Koffee With Karan 7, director Karan Johar argues that star Aamir Khan is to blame for Hindi film losing the articulation that South cinema provides.
The Bollywood filmmaker, Johar started a debate with the Taare Zameen Pe actor and claimed that Khan is the reason that films nowadays have abandoned the rhythm of KGF or RRR.
“There’s been so much success that some of the South Industry films have offered us in terms of Baahubali, RRR, KGF, and Pushpa and some of our films that haven’t been working. Is there a shift that’s happened in our movies recently in terms of like there’s a tonality that KGF has or Pushpa has that actually Hindi cinema used to have. We actually let go of it and you’re responsible for it.”
He went on to remark that when Khan developed Lagaan and Rang De Basanti, both films had distinct perspectives than other films at the time, and the unique approach established a specific audience and filmmakers.
“In the year 2001 you came up with two films Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan, both had new sensibilities, both had a new syntax in cinema then after that you came up with a film Rang De Basanti in 2006, then you made Taare Zameen Par right after that, with the result you started making a certain audience and filmmakers.”
Aamir Khan responded by denying all of the allegations and said that the films he made were heartfelt. They impacted the general audience. It is something to which somebody would emotionally connect with.
“I am not saying make action films or crude films. Make good films with great stories but choose topics that are relevant to most people. Every filmmaker has the freedom to make what they want. But when you are picking something that the bulk of India is not really interested in. There are niche people who are interested, which most of us don’t realize. That’s what I feel is the difference.”
South Indian movies have succeeded remarkably well internationally in recent years. Meanwhile, famous Bollywood films like Ranbir Kapoor’s Shamshera and Ranveer Singh’s Jayeshbhai Jordaar failed to attract crowds.
Khan’s upcoming film, Laal Singh Chadha, will release in theatres on August 11, 2022.
