Vivek Agnihotri Says Karan Johar Is 'Leader of Bollywood', Sudhir Mishra Defends The Filmmaker

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra defended Karan Johar after Vivek Agnihotri referred to him as the "leader" of Bollywood.

Vivek claimed that Johar was the "industry leader" when he was talking about the director.

Source : Instagram (vivekagnihotri)

New Delhi: Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra defended Karan Johar after Vivek Agnihotri referred to him as the "leader" of Bollywood. The Bollywood directors sat down for a podcast despite having very different filmmaking approaches. Director Karan Johar's name came up as they were discussing their contemporaries.

Vivek claimed that Johar was the "industry leader" when he was talking about the director. With regard to Karan's past endeavours, Vivek stated that neither his content nor the Indian middle class accurately reflect the feelings of real India. 

“Karan is an Indian filmmaker. Neither does he want to make a movie with me, nor do I want to make a movie with him. We are two different zones. But he’s a filmmaker, and I hope he makes a great film, because if he does well, the industry does well, and everybody prospers. So, I’m hoping the best for Karan Johar, I’m not wishing him ill. This is the way I’m looking at life. Karan Johar is not making a film for me, he probably never will. But I wish him the best, because I want the industry to prosper. I wish he gives a break to 10 more young people. He gave a break to my ex-assistant Nikkhil Advani, who went on to make films. So, good things, no?,” Sudhir said as per The Indian Express.

“You’re talking about Karan, the entire middle class feels that Koffee with Karan has been imposed on them. They don’t want to subscribe to such a mentality,” Vivek argued.

“I am saying it without malice, but Student of the Year, and films after that, just see the youth in those films and the youth on the roads of the country, you won’t find the youth shown in the movies. When I watched Deewar, I related to it instantly, I looked at Amitabh Bachchan and felt, ‘Oh I also have this problem.’ But today, there is no relatability. Why are you disrespecting the sensibilities of the audience?” he added.

To which Sudhir responded, “I feel he is a very valid filmmaker, who runs a production company in this business. He has every right to be here, as much as I have or anyone else has. As much as you have, or a younger filmmaker who walks in today.”