Filmmaker Karan Johar has spoken out about what he describes as a growing “hyper-masculine” trend in Bollywood, criticising the industry’s tendency to follow formulas that prioritise a specific, exaggerated image of masculinity.
Karan Johar talks about Alpha males in Bollywood
In a recent interaction, Johar pointed out how filmmakers often replicate what works at the box office, leading to a wave of similar content. “If one film works in a certain zone, there will be ten more,” he observed, highlighting the herd mentality that drives trends in the industry.
Taking a dig at the current portrayal of male leads, he added with a hint of sarcasm, “Men will walk in slow motion for no reason… with beards and cigarettes, apparently that’s what men think women like.” His comment reflects his concern about how masculinity is being narrowly defined on screen, often reduced to visual tropes rather than layered storytelling.
Johar suggested that such portrayals risk becoming repetitive and may limit the diversity of narratives in mainstream cinema. According to him, the industry’s tendency to chase trends can overshadow originality and emotional depth, which were once hallmarks of Hindi films.
Calls out `hyper masclunity`
The director also touched upon the broader shift in audience preferences, noting that films with high-testosterone energy have found considerable success in recent times. However, he implied that this popularity should not dictate the creative direction of the entire industry.
Beyond the discussion on masculinity, Johar addressed the evolving nature of Bollywood and the impact of external factors like public relations and social media. He remarked that the rise of “paid narratives” has blurred the line between genuine audience reactions and manufactured hype, making it harder to gauge what truly resonates with viewers.
Despite his critique, Johar maintained a balanced perspective, acknowledging that the film industry operates in cycles. Trends come and go, and what dominates today may eventually give way to new storytelling styles.
He also emphasised the importance of not letting success or failure dictate one’s emotional well-being. “You can’t over-celebrate success or over-lament failure,” he said, underlining the need for stability in an unpredictable industry.
Through his remarks, Johar has once again sparked a conversation about the direction of Bollywood, urging creators to move beyond stereotypes and embrace more nuanced representations of characters.
