Karan Johar: Indian cinema is a victim of misconceptions on the global stage

Indian film industry has always been perceived as the movies consisting of song and dance. However, there have been considerable changes in the current set up of Indian movies, as the filmmakers are breaking the stereotypes by making films based on different subjects.

On being asked about the same by the media agency, Karan Johar commented, "I feel very sad when I still see people across the globe having this misconception about Indian cinema that it is all about song and dance. This stereotypical view about our films can only be changed when we as part of the entertainment industry go out and tell people that we have much more to offer in terms of storytelling and content than just actors dancing around trees."

Adding further, he said, "Indian cinema is a victim of misconceptions on the global stage. The way Aamir's (Khan) films have been performing in China proves that we can make a huge mark globally. But only dialogue initiated by our filmmakers and actors can bring about this change."

Talking about content being the king, Karan said, "I am all about content. All I am doing as a producer is looking at films which have world language. It is about picking films that speak the global language and that can only happen when the content appeals to the masses superseding the language barrier. It is not necessary that films I make will coincide with the kind of films I produce or present. My process as a director is mine and mine alone and I do what I am convinced with as a storyteller. But that doesn't mean I am not open to global possibilities of films that I would like to present and produce. The idea is always to take giant leaps for the development of Indian cinema."

"To make their cinema visible globally filmmakers and actors have to get up and do things on their own. I travelled the world to speak about my cinema... Everybody has a responsibility to make India visible globally. It is important that a filmmaker develop a voice and act on that. They can't just sit in offices and think that they are making a big movement in cinema... They are not. They need to go out speak about their cinema and the country they produce films in. What I am doing... I believe all of us (filmmakers) should be doing it," Karan concluded.