Filmmaker Karan Johar has commented on what he sees as a growing tilt towards hyper-masculine storytelling in Bollywood, saying the industry is currently shaped by a wave of ‘alpha male’ driven narratives focused on aggression and machismo.
In an interview with The Week, Johar said mainstream Hindi cinema appears to be leaning heavily towards high-energy, male-led films, often marked by stylised violence and exaggerated portrayals of masculinity. He suggested this trend reflects a wider pattern in the industry, where successful formulas are quickly replicated.
According to him, when a certain type of film performs well, it tends to be followed by multiple similar projects. He pointed to repeated depictions of rugged male leads, slow-motion sequences and uniform character traits such as beards and smoking, adding that these choices are often driven by assumptions about audience preference rather than creative variety.
Johar also reflected on the criticism he received for challenging traditional ideas of masculinity in his film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, particularly over a sequence featuring a male character in a classical dance performance.
The filmmaker said such responses highlight resistance within sections of the audience to more fluid representations of gender roles, but maintained that he stands by his storytelling choices and identifies as a feminist filmmaker.
The discussion comes amid a broader industry trend often linked to the success of recent action-heavy blockbusters, which have influenced a number of subsequent films adopting similar tones and aesthetics.
On the professional front, Johar is preparing for the release of ‘Chaand Mera Dil’, a romantic drama produced under Dharma Productions and directed by Vivek Soni. The film, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, is scheduled for release later this month.
He is also backing another upcoming project titled ‘Nagzilla’, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and featuring Kartik Aaryan. The film is currently in production, with its release date yet to be confirmed.
Johar has additionally confirmed the return of his talk show ‘Koffee With Karan’, with the ninth season set to air during the Diwali period.
