PremiumKaran Johar: Today’s generation doesn’t have Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan’s aura and mystery
The filmmaker, who has produced Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani's Jugjugg Jeeyo, said that the era of superstardom is over as the young actors are now more accessible
Last Updated: 12.53 PM, Jun 15, 2022
Karan Johar knows a thing or two about superstardom than most in Bollywood does. Over his 24-year-long career, he had directed some of the biggest superstars in the industry including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan.
For his upcoming directorial Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, he is collaborating with two stellar talents – Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Though the director, who turned 50 recently, has churned out several superhit in the industry, he recently said in an interview that the era of superstardom has now come to an end, with today’s actors now being more accessible.
Talking to Film Companion, Karan said that today’s generation of actors lack “the magnetism, the aura, the mystery” that stars such as Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan has. He explained how when they walked into a party, “there were heads turning everywhere”. “That was power, that was stardom,” he said, adding that today’s stars are much more causal and available.
He pointed out that the curiosity about what stars do and who they hang around with have a huge impact on creating that starry aura. These are now known to fans, thanks to social media, and it dims that aura, the director explained.
The director also pointed out how in his recent birthday party when Shah Rukh Khan made his appearance, even the young stars could feel his presence despite him not making the red-carpet appearance.
Karan also talked about his party, which was attended by stars such as Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. However, several of the guests also turned positive for COVID-19 after the event. The director said that he feels “marginally victimised” for his birthday party being called a super spreader in several reports. “We don’t know who contracted it and when because there was a lot happening that week, even in the movie industry,” he said.