Is Karan Johar the Real Villain of Modern Bollywood?

Karan Johar has always been one of the most influential filmmakers and trendsetters in Bollywood. Now, many people, especially in the industry, have questioned his influence in the last few years. Instead of nurturing such talent, people would argue that Johar’s influence actually stifled original talent in Bollywood. Accusations that he deliberately kept stronger female talent out of his way to keep Bhatt’s name at the top have surrounded Johar’s close association with – and endorsement of – Alia Bhatt, whom he launched.

The Selective Launchpad By Karan Johar

The likes of Triptii Dimri, Kiara Advani, and Kriti Sanon have reportedly received half-hearted or token projects at Dharma Productions, unlike Parineeti Chopra, who is practically nowhere. Karan continued to endorse new names such as Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, and Ananya Panday, all of which carry big surnames but little to offer on-screen. The end result: talent vacuum. Thus, Bollywood’s new-age heroines are rather feel-alikes, making them appear repetitive and uninspired.

Where are the Leading Ladies?

Heroines such as Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra, and Kareena Kapoor not only fought their corners in the 1990s and 2000s but also had their male co-stars build upon the high stature they were conferred. The current scenario contrasts starkly beyond Alia and Deepika to where very few female performers have penetrated strongly as star institutions.

The Larger Fallout:

Heroes have also been under the impact of this imbalance. This even diminishes the male stars of the current generation- There was one usually known male face and two untested female debuts for ”Student of the Year 2”, both of which remain forgettable. New male talent is almost nonexistent in place, and the current industry feels creatively fatigued.

Whether deliberate or incidental, Karan Johar’s type of glossy nepotism might as well be considered an inadvertent draining away of Bollywood’s next real stars, both male and female.

Also Read: Is Dharma Productions Losing Its Shine?