People across the globe have a misconception about Indian cinema: Karan Johar

Karan Johar wants to change the global perception of Indian cinema and he's urging other filmmakers to do their part in bringing about this change.

"I feel very sad when I still see people across the globe having this misconception about Indian cinema that it is all about song and dance," said the director at the Berlinale 2018.

"This stereotypical view about our films can only be changed when we as part of the entertainment industry go out and tell people that we have much more to offer in terms of storytelling and content than just actors dancing around trees."

However, of late, KJo feels that films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, PadMan and Bareilly Ki Bar have offered more to than "cliched sequences".

Citing an example of Aamir Khan's films' success in China he said, "India cinema is a victim of misconceptions on global stage. The way Aamir's (Khan) films have been performing in China proves that we can make a huge mark globally. But only dialogue initiated by our filmmakers and actors can bring about this change."

"I am all about content. All I am doing as producer is looking at films which have world language. It is about picking films that speak global language and that can only happen when the content appeals to the masses superseding the language barrier," he added.

"It is not necessary that films I make will coincide with the kind of films I produce or present. My process as a director is mine and mine alone and I do what I am convinced with as a storyteller. But that doesn't mean I am not open to global possibilities of films that I would like to present and produce. The idea is always to take giant leaps for the development of Indian cinema."

Karan expressed that its every Indian filmmakers responsibility to spread a positive message globally about their industry which breaks people's misconception.

"To make their cinema visible globally filmmakers and actors have to get up and do things on their own. I travelled the world to speak about my cinema. Everybody has a responsibility to make India visible globally. It is important that a filmmaker develop a voice and act on that. They can’t just sit in offices and think that they are making a big movement in cinema... They are not. They need to go out speak about their cinema and the country they produce films in. What I am doing... I believe all of us (filmmakers) should be doing it."