Karan Johar critiques ‘high octave testosterone’ trend in Bollywood films, says 'all have beards & they smoke'

Filmmaker Karan Johar has commented on what he sees as a growing shift in Hindi cinema towards hyper masculine storytelling. In a recent interaction, he observed that many films are leaning into a certain image of masculinity, often marked by stylised visuals and repetitive character traits.

He described the trend as a “big alpha massive testosterone, hyper alpha energy” phase, suggesting that filmmakers are following a pattern based on what appears to be working commercially. According to him, once a particular formula succeeds, it tends to be replicated across projects without much variation.

Speaking to The Week, Johar said, “If one film works in a certain zone, there will be 10 more. So you will see 10 more high octave testosterone movies where men are just walking in slow motion for no reason and going nowhere in particular, but they will be walking in that way, and they'll all have beards and they will all smoke. Apparently, that's what women like to watch, is what the men think.”

He also addressed the criticism he faced for a sequence in his 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury performed a classical dance. The scene drew mixed reactions, with some questioning its portrayal of male characters. Recalling the response, Johar said he was asked, “How can you depict a man like that?”

Reflecting on his approach to filmmaking, Johar emphasised the importance of staying aligned with his beliefs. He stated that creating content solely to satisfy a section of the audience does not interest him. He added that his perspective is shaped by his upbringing and personal experiences.

“I am a born feminist,” he said, noting that he was raised by a strong woman and has largely been surrounded by women. This, he explained, influences the kind of stories he chooses to tell.

On the work front, Johar recently backed Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, featuring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, which saw a modest response. His upcoming productions include Chand Mera Dil with Lakshya Lalwani and Panday, and Naagzilla, also starring Aaryan.