Karan Johar, one of India’s most renowned filmmakers, has long held a vision of bringing Indian cinema to the global stage. Known for his innovative storytelling and box-office successes, Johar’s ambition has evolved to encompass international audiences, and his latest project, Kill, has proven to be a significant step toward this goal. In a recent discussion in CNBC TV 18 Global Leadership Summit, Johar revealed that Kill, which made waves domestically, is now poised for remakes in English, Tamil, and Telugu, with the rights for these adaptations already sold. This move is part of a larger strategy to explore international collaborations and showcase Indian talent on a global platform.
Reflecting on the influence of Korean entertainment, which has captured the world’s attention through K-dramas, K-pop, and films, Johar acknowledged that India has similar potential. “Because I think Korea in the last couple of decades has really shown us with their movies, with their music, with their TV, with their food, the soft power that they managed to really take around the world,” he noted. Johar believes that Indian cinema can follow a similar trajectory, highlighting that his production company has been “doing K-dramas before they did that,” emphasizing Bollywood’s longstanding commitment to engaging audiences beyond national boundaries.
Johar’s belief in Kill’s international appeal stems from the success the film achieved at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it was picked up by the global distribution giant Lionsgate. The significant international sale, which emerged as a result of Kill’s TIFF debut, set the stage for broader global exposure. Johar elaborated on the process, explaining, “A large international sale happened thanks to our presence at the Toronto International Film Festival where we struck that deal.” This strategic move opened doors for remakes in multiple languages, including English, Tamil, and Telugu, and Johar expressed optimism that this film series could become a successful franchise with enduring appeal. “We do plan to produce the second part of Kill and also, we hope to have the same international success,” he added.
Beyond Kill, Johar and his team are already gearing up for their next big international collaboration. They are producing a film with NJ Kvan, a celebrated Cannes award-winning filmmaker. This project, according to Johar, is being crafted with a clear intent to showcase Indian talent in international film festivals and achieve sales on a global scale. He stated, “Similarly, we are producing a film with NJ Kvan, who is a Cannes award-winning filmmaker, and we plan to take that film, you know, to the international festivals and have sales internationally.”
However, while he is passionate about promoting Indian cinema internationally, Johar also voiced a critical perspective on the notion of creating “crossover” films, where directors attempt to blend elements that cater to both domestic and global markets. “I don’t understand this concept of planning a crossover film, because I do believe once you cross, it’s all over,” he remarked, emphasizing that while appealing to international markets can be lucrative, it should not come at the cost of artistic integrity or cultural authenticity. He further elaborated, “It’s really not always going to be viable and beneficial.”
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