Dear Karan Johar, it’s time for Dharma Productions to speak the language of the MASSES, not the elites

There was a time when Dharma Productions was the gold standard for blockbuster cinema, delivering one hit after another. Audiences eagerly awaited every release, especially after Karan Johar’s sensational debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. Films from that era still hold a special place in our hearts. But in recent years, the magic has faded. Dharma's latest release, Jigra, was a major disappointment at the box office, and the news of Karan Johar considering selling a majority stake in his once-mighty banner is truly disheartening.This article offers heartfelt suggestions for Karan Johar to revive Dharma Productions and bring it back to the glory days it once enjoyed. These ideas stem from a genuine love for the banner that gave us some of our most cherished films. It’s time for Dharma to rise again!1. Restart, Revamp and RenewFirstly, Karan Johar needs to follow the 12thFail (2023) mantra - #Restart. He needs to revamp, renew and make films for a post-pandemic world. The more wholesome the film, the more the chances of it becoming a success. And this is something we learned from the past KJo films be it Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) etc. These films had something for everyone and this is the film the audience craves for.2. Get the Right DirectorWith a massy plot in hand, he needs to get a massy director on board to execute it. Off late, he made Jigra and even Bad Newz. Both films had massy storylines but they required a mainstream director to handle them. That didn’t happen and no wonder that Bad Newz dropped after a big opening while Jigra was a non-starter from day one.3. Head South for successKaran Johar needs to be lauded for starting the Pan-India movement by presenting Baahubali. There’s a dearth of massy directors in Bollywood and hence, he needs to head to South again, this time to get someone who can make a Hindi film for all kinds of audiences.4. Old is GoldAlso, it won’t be wrong to get certain veteran directors of Bollywood who might not seem cool enough but can make a great film, if given a chance. We saw how Anees Bazmee and Anil Sharma suddenly became hot properties after they delivered Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Gadar 2. There are many who still have the potential and just need a helping hand. For instance, imagine if Abbas-Mustan makes a film for Dharma; if its clicks, the box office potential can be huge.5. Know the pulse of India and make films for the people, not the eliteHis team should comprise people who know the pulse of the audience, beyond Bandra and Juhu. The elite, English-speaking and Wong Kar Wai fans would eventually also want to make films that are elite and niche. Such films obviously don’t have a box office pull as their target audience is not loyal to the theatrical medium. Hence, it’s imperative that when people apply for jobs at Dharma, they need to be asked if they have seen Hindi cinema classics like Mera Naam Joker, Deewaar, Sholay, Mughal-E-Azam, Kabhi Kabhie etc. And also, it needs to be ascertained if they enjoy such kind of cinema. If yes, they can prove to be assets. After all, at one point, even Karan Johar was influenced by these films. In his book, ‘An Unsuitable Boy’, about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), he wrote in the book, “My love for Raj Kapoor was in the first line of the film: ‘Mujhse dosti karoge?’ My love for Yash Chopra was in the second half, in the palatial house, with all the elements that I’d grown up watching, all the music I had heard...”. The idea for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham came from having six stars on the posters. These old films have shaped up KJo and he needs to go back to basics.6. Bring back the big starsSpeaking of stars, why is that Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are the only two major actors that feature in Dharma films repeatedly? This is the time for him to use his goodwill and persuade Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor to come on board. The advantage here is that he has a good equation with all of them and he just needs the right script and director to convince them.7. Make Niche Films UniversalIf Karan Johar still wants to make niche films, then make sure it gets universal acclaim and don’t turn out to be like Jigra, which has only impressed a tiny, minuscule section of the people. He needs to make sure that his niche film is the best film of the year, on the lines of Laapataa Ladies or 12th Fail.8. Go BIG on romanceThis is also the time for him to go a little old school. He wrote in the book, “I’m old-fashioned about love. I have a bit of romanticism in me that I want to hold on to.” This is the time to make a grand and most importantly, relatable love story, that Dharma was once known for. The bold films can wait for sometime. As Karan Johar mentioned in his book while mentioning Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), “My father may never have allowed me to make a film about infidelity.” Though a great film, it underperformed, which wasn’t surprising. Meanwhile, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was his biggest hit as it was all about loving the parents. Bad Newz, too, had a topic that a section of the audience didn’t appreciate. We are not implying that he should make regressive films but when a film is alienating a chunk of the audience, it’s not a good idea, especially at the stage where Dharma Productions is right now. Hence, let’s keep Gehraiyaan, Bad Newz etc aside and focus on films that will work in B and C centres.9. Music is still the keyMusic has always been a great strength for Dharma and in this regard, they are better than the rest, as evidenced by the success of ‘Tauba Tauba’ and ‘Kesariya’. But the focus should be on getting even better in this department and having a super-hit album, as it was in his previous films.10. Revive Dharma’s biggest AstraLastly, Brahmastra is a gold mine for Dharma. It’s time for Karan Johar to anyhow get the sequel on floors and get the best of actors and also director Ayan Mukerji back to the Dharma family. The sequel will surely open with a bang and will be the much-needed boost for the banner.In conclusion, Karan Johar finds himself at a pivotal moment for Dharma Productions. The banner that once shaped Bollywood’s cinematic legacy is now struggling to reconnect with an audience that craves the magic it once delivered. To rise again, Dharma must return to its roots - films with mass appeal, powerful narratives, and timeless emotions. Collaborating with veteran directors, broadening its talent pool, and tapping into the pulse of India’s diverse audience will be crucial. The key to success lies in rekindling the magic of storytelling that made us fall in love with Dharma. Now, it’s time for a bold #Restart to reclaim the glory that once made Dharma the crown jewel of Bollywood.Also Read: Karan Johar web series for Netflix titled Jet Set Go; to be set against the backdrop of the aviation industry