A week after its release, ‘Bombay Talkies’ is still being discussed across theatres and family dinners. The film is slowly picking up, word of mouth. Karan Johar, who has made by far the most astonishing film in the omnibus – and for which there is widespread reaction – good and bad, is the one who seems to have most benefited from the experience.
He was recently featured in a television show, where he spoke candidly about his own films. He is seen speaking to a trade analyst in the show. Commenting on the tagline of his film, ‘Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham’, which is, ‘Its all about loving your parents.’
He says, ‘It was the most idiotic line. When I look at it, I just feel my whole career is idiotic. I just feel, I have made idiotic movies.’ He goes on further to add, “Like who doesn’t love their parents?’ dissing his earlier films that have made him a name to reckon in the industry.
In the interview, he also dismisses some of the plot points of his film ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ calling it the ‘genius’ idea of someone as stupid as him.
This kind of self-deprecating humour is tough to come by in an industry where people tend to bask in the glory of past laurels and are stuck in a time warp.
Thankfully, Karan Johar has moved on. A source close to the director says, “Making that segment in ‘Bombay Talkies’ has been a liberating experience for Karan. He has for once not had to worry about wearing the producer hat, and his focus has been on telling a story close to his heart. It is also the first time he has explored such a bold theme of sexuality in relationships in his films, without frills.”
Let’s hope it is a good departure and we see more of this side of the filmmaker in his future projects. That, and a whole lot of coming out, er, in his hilarious interviews.