Karan Johar has lauded Mohit Suri and shared his thoughts on the state of Bollywood, particularly in comparison to the South Indian film industry. The comments came after the release of Suri's film, "Saiyaara," which has been a major success, grossing over ₹500 crore worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema.
During a session at FICCI Frames on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Suri recounted a conversation he had with Johar after the film's release. According to Suri, Johar thanked him for making "Saiyaara". Johar noted that filmmakers from the South had been calling to praise the film, a departure from the usual dynamic. Johar pointed out that Bollywood is typically the one reaching out to praise the South Indian film industry, and he appreciated the reversal.
Johar has been vocal in his admiration for South Indian filmmakers like SS Rajamouli, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and Prasanth Neel, who are known for creating large-scale event films. However, he has also expressed concerns about Bollywood's ability to replicate that success. In an interview with Suchin Mehrotra on The Streaming Show podcast, Johar spoke about what he sees as a "director crisis" in Bollywood when it comes to making big, mass-appeal action films. He believes that the current generation of Bollywood directors, who grew up on a different kind of cinema, lack the skills and experience to create those types of films. Johar stated that when Bollywood directors attempt to emulate South Indian films in the mass action genre, they often "fall flat on their face".
Instead, Johar suggests that Bollywood directors should focus on their strengths, such as telling good love stories. He cited "Saiyaara" as an example of a film that Bollywood can do well. Johar praised Suri's direction, calling "Saiyaara" the "best film of his career" and complimenting his storytelling, craft, and use of music. He also lauded the film's lead actors, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, for their performances.
"Saiyaara," directed by Mohit Suri and starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been a major success, grossing over ₹500 crore worldwide. Johar penned a detailed review on Instagram, calling it Suri's 'best film'. The film has been praised for its music, performances, and storytelling. Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Wadhwani also commented on how "Saiyaara" has impacted the star system.
Johar's comments highlight the ongoing discussion about the differences between Bollywood and the South Indian film industry, and the challenges Bollywood faces in creating mass-appeal action films. He suggests that Bollywood should focus on its strengths and celebrate films like "Saiyaara" that showcase its unique storytelling abilities.
