Karan Johar, a leading Bollywood filmmaker and producer, has openly criticised the growing trend of paid publicity and artificial promotion in the film industry, warning that it is blurring the line between genuine success and manufactured hype.
In a recent interview, Karan Johar said it has become increasingly difficult to gauge the real popularity of films. He noted that promotional campaigns have turned highly commercial, making it hard to distinguish between authentic praise and paid endorsements.
He pointed out that show-driven marketing strategies are rapidly expanding in Bollywood, where significant financial resources are being used to project films as successful. According to him, this trend is eroding audience trust and making it harder for viewers to identify true quality.
Emphasising the importance of content, Karan Johar said an artist’s real identity should be defined by their work rather than expensive promotional campaigns. “If the content is strong, it will naturally attract audiences without relying on artificial support,” he remarked.
He further observed that paid promotions have reached excessive levels, raising a critical question about whether audiences genuinely appreciate a film or are influenced by aggressive public relations strategies.
The remarks come amid ongoing debates within the industry about transparency, credibility and the impact of marketing-driven narratives on audience perception.