Cinema is far more progressive than TV: Karan Johar

Known for making larger than life family dramas for the big screen, filmmaker Karan Johar is now connecting with the masses on a new level through his appearances on the small screen. He however says this is just a phase and he can't

Published: Thursday,Sep 20, 2012 13:20 PM GMT-06:00

Vijay Bhatter

Bela Sehgal and Karan Johar at Poster launch of 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi'

Known for making larger than life family dramas for the big screen, filmmaker Karan Johar is now connecting with the masses on a new level through his appearances on the small screen. He however says this is just a phase and he can't work for the medium full-time as he fails to understand the concept of TRPs and finds cinema "far more progressive".

"Indian television has its positives and negatives. It has a huge audience and some shows are very entertaining, but I think it needs to come out of its current zone," Johar told IANS in an interview.

"Every time they try something new, it does not work and does not get TRPs (television rating points), because of which they go back to doing and showing strange things," he added.

He compares the scenario with the Bollywood box office and feels content on the small screen is more driven by ratings.

"The TV industry lives around TRPs, like the box office for cinema. Every Wednesday morning is a wake-up call for TV people. One day it is Zee TV on top, then it is Colors, and so on. I don't know how does all this work.

"Seeing all this, I think cinema is far more progressive because it gives you an opportunity to make all kinds of movies," he added.

The 40-year-old, head honcho of leading film banner Dharma Productions, started his tryst with TV as a celebrity chat show host "Koffee With Karan", which is now a hugely popular franchise.

He is currently judging the fifth season of celebrity dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" with dancing diva Madhuri Dixit and choreographer Remo D'Souza. And now, gearing up for more - as judge on the new season of "India's Got Talent" (IGT).

Asked if he would ever direct a fiction show for TV, he said: "Television is not for me behind the camera. I could be a judge, a host, but I am not sure if I could be a director over TV.

"I sometimes feel I will be living on MRIs the day I decide to switch over to TV alone. They have so many things to take care of. I am coming back with 'Koffee With Karan' next June, but no fiction for me."

Johar credits his knowledge about TV shows to his mother, who closely follows all popular shows on the medium.

"I will be lying if I say that I am a TV addict, but my mother is obsessed with Indian television and is very happy to see me as a part of these shows. She is a huge fan of Ram and Priya (of 'Bade Achche Lagte Hain'). But I have never been into TV," he said.

Talking about his stint as a judge on "Jhalak..." and IGT, Johar says he would love to judge a singing show, but thinks he lacks the expertise for that.

"One thing I would love to sit back and watch a singing show, but I really think I would be the wrong person to judge a singing show. I can judge singing on a very surface level, but I don't have the right expertise to judge it," said the dashing filmmaker, who is looking forward to the release of his next directorial "Student Of The Year".

(Aastha Khurana can be contacted at [email protected])

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Comments (37)

debarshi_genx @debarshi_genx

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I still remember YRF TV shows like Mahi vey,rishta.com etc were such a revelation for tv & those were extremely entertaining yet they had to go off air soon!!!
We should be blamed for this-we cry for something new but don't have the guts to accept change!!!All what we do is shouting out 'Hollywood television is extremely entertaining & progressive & we cant match them!Truth is WE DO NOT HAVE BALLS TO DO THAT!

12 years ago

3 Reply

Abhinav @abhilan97

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Agreed, that is why fresh concept-ed shows like Navya and Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein all ended up...Navya was a unique youth show but the channel forced the director to make it a saas-bahu saga and sajda was something so new but it ended up due to low trps...

12 years ago

Tanu @Asha004

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It's the same story for both the Indian television and Bollywood cinema: whenever some bright producer/director/etc. tries to come out with something uniquely 'progressive,' it doesn't fare well with the audiences most of the time. Most popular shows & movies these days don't address the kinds of social issues that Indian audiences should be made more well aware of in this advancing day and age--they're all about the glamour and happy-go-lucky "nokh jokh". But, at least producer/directors like Aamir Khan, Anurag Kashyap, Onir, etc. are like the saving graces of the deteriorating Indian film industry.

12 years ago

Ranjeeta Kaur @ranjeeta_kaur

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One thing's for sure, the silly TRP system either needs to go or be changed! Having said that, it looks like the TV industry plays a more vital role than the movie industry! Just look at how the Bollywood movie stars today are promoting their films by appearing on popular tv shows!

12 years ago

3 Reply

pallavi25 @pallavi25

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I agree with KJo, TV serials are horribly regressive in terms of storyline, same old saas-bahu kitchen politics, and disturbing trends like portraying women as long suffering victims of domestic squabbles. Even TV serials that start out with promising new ideas invariably go down the drain as they take the same path of sensational tracks and absurd twists! People get addicted to these TV shows so they keep on watching such crap even though they dont like it.
On the other hand, this year has been very promising for Bollywood so far with really good movies like Kahani, Vicky Donor, Barfi, etc. I havent seen GOW yet but heard its a great movie!

12 years ago

6 Reply

maryumtalks @maryumtalks

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I agree that most times Indian shows get ruined coz of TRP, start off with a bang but then goes stale due to change in tracks suddenly which don't make sense or story but having said that the audience connect more to the TV fiction shows.

12 years ago

1 Reply

kavita @kiwu

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agree with him. showz like mahi way, powder ,and many more scrapped and dint make gud trp jst becoz of the saas bahu crap.people love to see that only... n so called long running gud trp showz r jst geting more life becoz of crapness of saas bahu saga..
all thnks to trp..

12 years ago

4 Reply

Shanti @shanti05

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8000 meters cannot decide the fate of 121 crore homes watching TV shows.. The whole TRP system is manipulated as the accuracy is far beyond being right.

12 years ago

4 Reply

Old username: salvatore-nina @FireLordPhoenix

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Sure cinema is far more progressive, but viewers connect more with the TV medium than others. And so what if Karan Johar leaves the TV industry? I can't say it's a loss!

12 years ago