Recently, filmmaker and producer Karan Johar was asked if Bollywood’s box office numbers are fudged, whether stars give truthful film reviews, and if a movie’s cast is based on talent. Johar answered these questions, confirming the popular notion that box office collections are often inflated, stars aren’t always cast based on merit, and actors may not be entirely honest when sharing reviews.
During a chat with The Indian Express, Johar spoke about box office numbers and said, “Yes, numbers are fudged, true.”
When asked if actors are cast in films based on talent, Johar denied straightaway. “No. Box office, popularity, always equal talent. I mean, you know, I’m sure there are more talented filmmakers than me. And they don’t get the chance to make movies. There are a gazillion more talented people and filmmakers than me, I’m quite sure of that. So I won’t even speak for stars, I’ll speak for myself. So I think I’m privileged and I’m grateful for that.”
When asked about stars tweeting reviews truthfully, Johar said, “No, we are all liars. We are all big, fat liars.”
Meanwhile, Johar’s Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt, recently created controversy when Divya Khosla Kumar accused it of rigging its box office numbers. She claimed that the reported earnings were inflated, suggesting that tickets may have been purchased to falsely boost the collections. Jigra, which opened to mixed reviews, earned approximately Rs. 4.25 crore on its first day, with expectations of around Rs. 4-5 crore.
On the business front, Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India, acquired a 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. This deal marks a notable collaboration between the worlds of business and entertainment, bringing together Poonawalla’s business skills and Johar’s film expertise. It highlights a trend of partnerships that aim to expand opportunities in the film industry.
See Also: Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions Lands ₹1,000 Crore Deal For 50% Stake With Serum Institute’s Adar Poonawala
