After My Name is Khan releases in February next year, Karan Johar plans on making a feature-length film or a series of short films on AIDS — inspired by Parmeshwar Godrej. Karan was recently seen at Godrej’s Heroes project’s new communication campaign, HIV and Soul Cages last week.Talking about it, Karan says, “I have been associated with Heroes for many years now. I joined the project inspired by Parmeshwar’s passion for spreading awareness about AIDS. I plan to make a full-length feature film or a series of short films on the subject after MNIK releases next year.It’s especially painful to see the plight of children infected with the virus and the stigma and rampant discrimination toward them.
Even after creating awareness, it’s shocking to see the high levels of illiteracy about the disease in urban circles.”The director says he will be available for any of the project’s initiatives; he wants to take it one step further. “I would definitely like to do much more. Dharma has a pool of talent and apart from entertainment in cinema, it’s our responsibility to incorporate socially relevant topics. Entertainment can’t be the be-all and end of all films. It’s imperative to entertain but entertain with a purpose.”Socially relevant films might not be commercially popular.
Would that stop him from making films with a message? “Commercial setbacks always disappointing but even more disappointing is making a film that just made no point at all. I will not make documentaries or something extremely serious; that’s not me. I will always make films that have a certain drama or the connectivity to the audience wouldn’t be there. There’s a certain madness in me which will remain as the core of all the films I do.”
