Karan Johar talks about SS Rajamouli’s filming style, says 'Where do you see logic in his films? only conviction'

Karan Johar talks about SS Rajamouli filmaking style

Filmmaker Karan Johar recently offered his insights into the unique filmmaking style of SS Rajamouli, identifying the crucial element that sets his films apart—conviction. During a recent conversation, Karan elaborated on how Rajamouli’s movies, though often lacking in conventional logic, are powered by an unshakable belief in their narratives.

According to Johar, the success of a film is deeply rooted in the filmmaker’s commitment to their vision, regardless of how fantastical or unreasonable the narrative might seem.

During a conversation on Komal Nahata's YouTube show Game Changers, the 52-year-old director spoke candidly about how Rajamouli’s films, while often lacking in conventional logic, are fuelled by an unwavering belief in their story.

“If you look at anything, especially if you analyse the journey of the best filmmakers, you’ll see that the biggest hits are built on conviction," Johar stated.

Johar then turned his attention to Rajamouli’s remarkable body of work, singling out the director's unique ability to captivate audiences, regardless of the film's logical inconsistencies.

"Logic doesn’t matter in a film. Take any film by Rajamouli sir, for example. Where do you see logic? You only see conviction. And when conviction comes to the forefront, even the audience believes in it," Karan Johar shared.

He explained that Rajamouli’s films, such as Baahubali and RRR, captivate viewers not because of their adherence to realism, but because of the director’s deep belief in the power of his stories.

Johar also drew attention to the success of other recent blockbusters like Animal, Gadar 2, and RRR, all of which, he argued, were driven by strong conviction rather than strictly adhering to logic. The iconic hand pump scene from the 2001 film Gadar was a particular example Johar cited to emphasise his point.

He stated, “Look at the biggest films — whether it’s Animal, RRR, or Gadar — these films are made with conviction. If you can defeat a thousand people with a single hand pump, that’s conviction, right? Anil Sharma believes that Sunny Deol can do this. That is pure conviction.”

The popular director elaborated on how any film can achieve blockbuster status if its makers have that level of faith in their narrative and characters. He advised filmmakers to avoid second-guessing their audience or questioning the validity of their own storytelling instincts.

“If you can defeat a thousand people with a single hand pump, that’s conviction,” he added, reinforcing his belief in the importance of unwavering trust in the material being presented.

Karan Johar concluded by stressing that filmmaking is ultimately about where one's focus lies. It’s about how dedicated the filmmakers are to their vision and how they channel that energy into the final product. The key, Johar believes, is that unwavering conviction—a quality that can turn even the most unlikely or illogical ideas into cinematic triumphs.