Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar recently shared his perspective on storytelling, stressing that conviction is the key ingredient in filmmaking, even when logic takes a backseat. In an interview with Komal Nahata for his YouTube show Game Changers, Johar cited acclaimed director SS Rajamouli as an example, stating that while his films may lack logic, they thrive on sheer conviction.

Rajamouli’s Films Driven by Conviction, Not Logic

When asked what replaces logic in cinema, Johar explained, “Conviction is very important. If you analyse the journey of the best filmmakers, you’ll notice that the biggest hits are built on conviction. Logic doesn’t matter in a film. Take any film by Rajamouli sir, for example. Where do you see logic? You only see a conviction. And when conviction comes to the forefront, even the audience believes in it.”

Blockbusters Like Animal, RRR, Gadar Defy Logic

Expanding on his point, Johar highlighted major Bollywood hits that, according to him, succeeded despite defying logic. “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 believed that Sunny Deol could do this. That is pure conviction. This is something I want every filmmaker to have in their DNA because then, I believe, we can make any film a blockbuster. The only problem arises when you start doubting yourself, second-guessing the audience, and focusing too much on logic.”

Johar’s remarks have sparked discussions among cinephiles and industry insiders, with some agreeing that conviction drives larger-than-life storytelling while others argue that a balance between logic and conviction is crucial for compelling cinema.

Karan Johar’s Upcoming Projects

On the work front, Johar is preparing for the release of his next production, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, directed by Shashank Khaitan. Starring Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, the film is set to hit theatres on April 18, 2025. Additionally, he is producing Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri, featuring Kartik Aaryan, as well as Kesari Chapter 2, starring Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, under his Dharma Productions banner.

As Johar continues to champion conviction over logic, his views raise an ongoing debate on whether cinematic success is determined more by emotional resonance or narrative realism.