The box office has always been unpredictable, with no clear formula to guarantee success. In recent years, several big-budget Bollywood films featuring top stars have failed to leave a mark, while smaller films with fresh talent have surprised everyone. The latest example is Saiyaara, a love story that introduced two debutants and managed to break records.
At a recent event, famous filmmaker Karan Johar was asked about what could be going wrong with Bollywood and his response reflected the uncertainty of the industry.
KJo explained that the success of a film cannot be attributed simply to its budget, cast or scale. He pointed out that while smaller films may sometimes perform brilliantly, it does not mean that this is always the case. Similarly, big-star films have also worked in the past. According to him, every film has its own journey and destiny and no one can put filmmaking into rigid categories.
Karan Johar further shared that actors today are far more aware of their roles and responsibilities. They understand that they must align themselves with the director’s vision rather than rely solely on their star power. While younger actors working on grand projects can create successful films, Karan noted that even such attempts sometimes fail. He further emphasised that nothing can be predicted in advance.
Taking the example of Saiyaara, Karan Johar says its success does not guarantee that all the upcoming musicals will perform the same way. Cinema goes through different phases, with audiences embracing new narratives from time to time. Just as not every romantic musical will become another Saiyaara, not every animated feature will achieve the success of Narsimha Mahavatar. For him, each film is its own unique experience.
Karan Johar summed up his thoughts by saying that the box office has no fixed rules. Success comes from telling fresh stories and presenting them in ways that connect with people. Ultimately, it is the audience that decides whether a film will be loved, respected and supported. In his words, the audience is like god, with the power to determine a movie’s fate.
Karan Johar himself recently delivered a hit with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, a romantic drama starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. The film was widely appreciated, proving once again that there is no formula, only stories that resonate with viewers.
