Renowned filmmaker and social media celebrity, Karan Johar, stirred cyberspace once again with an enigmatic note shared on Instagram. Known for his outspoken nature and social media presence, Johar recently addressed the idea that not everyone will appreciate you—and that’s perfectly acceptable.
On April 17, Karan Johar embraced his Instagram story feature to share an intriguing slice of wisdom with his multitudes of followers. He quoted, “You absolutely HAVE to become ok with not being liked. No matter how loving or kind you are, you will never please your way into collective acceptance. You could be a whole ray of sunshine and people will hate you cuz they’re used to rain. Be ok with shining regardless.”
This message comes not long after Johar posted another cryptic statement a fortnight prior. This earlier post scrutinized the Bollywood film industry’s shifting preferences and box office outcomes. The cryptic nature of the commentary left fans speculating about possible underlying targets or general industry observations.
The post alluded to the film industry’s trend-following nature, inciting debates over authenticity and artistic conviction. Johar wrote, “Bada scale chahiye toh wo banaao. Action chali. Action banaao! Love story chali toh love story banaao! Chick flick hit hui toh wahan jaao! Mausam har hafte badalta hai… conviction har hafte marta hai! Box office hai bhaiya, Instagram reel nahi… 30 second ki trending mein reh jaaoge wahin ke wahin!” Translated to English, Johar critiques the lack of conviction in the Bollywood industry, urging filmmakers to focus on box office longevity rather than fleeting social media trends.
This incisive commentary reflects Johar’s role not just as an entertainment mogul but also a cultural commentator shaping public discourse about the entertainment industry’s evolution.
Moving from the evocative to concrete industry news, Karan Johar’s plans to expand his successful cinematic venture, the ‘Student of the Year’ franchise, into a digital series recently came to light. Reports that have been circling since July 2023 hinted that this series would make its debut on streaming giant Disney Plus Hotstar, marking the anticipated Hindi introduction of rising star Shanaya Kapoor.
During the Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) in Chandigarh, Johar provided confirmation and details about this project. In his speech, he noted that the direction of the upcoming series installment would be under the helm of Reema Maya. Presenting the fresh perspective that Maya would bring to the table, Johar shared his enthusiasm for her representation of the series.
Reema Maya is lined up to bring her unique flair to the ‘Student of the Year’ digital rendition. Johar elucidated, “Reema Maya will be directing the digital version of Student of the Year. But it will be her way and definitely not mine because if I enter Reema Maya’s world, then I will make it more of an illusion, which is what her name means. I just wanted it to be her voice. She made it her own series.”
Johar’s comments at CIFF hammered in the point that transferring the franchise into Maya’s capable hands was about ensuring the series evolves under a different, yet capable directorial vision. It was imperative for the creator of the original works to step back, allowing reinvention through the lens of a new storyteller.
Karan Johar’s presence in the industry is a formidable one, with his recent social media insights and career moves prompting collective reflection on the nature of fame, art, and the intersection of the two in the volatile landscape of Bollywood. As Johar continues to dazzle with his creativity and push the envelope with his candor, his impact on Bollywood’s narrative remains as indelible as ever.
