Bollywood can’t escape the allegations of corporate booking, and Karan Johar has added another layer of controversy to it. Filmmaker Karan Johar’s savage take on ‘corporate booking’ has set the internet on fire, and fans can’t stop discussing it. Karan Johar is known for his candid opinion, and this time he didn’t hold his words while addressing the controversial practice during Komal Nahta’s Game Changers podcast. Let’s discuss in detail the corporate bookings in Bollywood, according to Karan Johar.
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What Is ‘Corporate Booking’ in Bollywood?
The term ‘corporate booking’ is used to describe the practice where film producers or studios purchase large numbers of tickets for their own movies. This tactic is often used to attract the artificial boost to the box office numbers, as it creates a FOMO among the audience. It creates an illusion of commercial success. However, the problem with corporate bookings is that though such moves may initially attract attention, they do not necessarily get sustained popularity.
Karan Johar, who is one of Bollywood’s most successful filmmakers, has called out the corporate bookings strategy, and he labelled it as self-congratulatory and ultimately meaningless.
Karan Johar’s Unfiltered Opinion
When asked about the Corporate Book, Karan Johar was ready with both witty and cutting responses. “If I decide to give myself ₹1 crore and then celebrate that I earned ₹1 crore, am I a fool, or am I an intelligent man? “You decide,” he remarked. The statement was funny, and it was a clear jab at those producers who buy their own tickets to inflate numbers and later label it as box office “success”.
He then added, “If you’re happy spending on yourself, go ahead. Why should anyone judge you for it? But let’s be honest, the audience doesn’t care about corporate booking. They only care if the film is good or bad.”
Audience Over Numbers
Karan Johar continued his typical no-nonsense tone, and he mentioned that audiences don’t fall for fake box office numbers. Viewers today rely on reviews. They care about the social media buzz and word of mouth. He also labelled this act as a step towards defaming the industry.
He further says that: “There are even agencies now filling seats for a price; that’s where it’s heading.” He also acknowledged the good side of it, as he accepted that corporate bookings might offer a “kickstart” for some films; it cannot guarantee long-term success.
Industry Reactions and Impact
The debate around corporate booking in Bollywood is not new. It has been discussed for a long time, and many fans and Bollywood enthusiasts are aware of this practice. A few trade analysts and critics have been vocal about it, and they have warned that the practice will distort the credibility of box office reporting. Some producers use these inflated numbers to attract distributors or streaming deals. And, some use corporate bookings to protect reputations.
However, as Karan Johar’s remarks suggest, this approach cannot help the movie in the long run, and it only damages the industry’s integrity.
Why Karan Johar’s Take Matters
Karan Johar’s savage take on ‘corporate booking’ is very important thanks to his position in the industry. His Dharma production house is known for delivering some of the best commercial and critically acclaimed films. As he has rejected the concept of corporate bookings in the podcast, it will send a strong message about the need for honesty in Bollywood’s business practices.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Karan Johar has continued his no-nonsense attitude, and he has dropped another bomb towards the corporate bookings in Bollywood. His words were needed and deserve to be heard because it’s a reminder that cinema thrives on creativity and audience connection, not artificial numbers. It will be interesting to see how the industry will react to Karan Johar’s comment. What do you think will stop contract bookings in Bollywood?
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