In a candid conversation, Bollywood's leading director and producer Karan Johar shared his thoughts on what makes films successful and stressed the power of conviction over logic. 

Johar, a prominent figure in the film industry, during a chit chat with renowned film critic Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel Game Changers, pointed out that the true essence of a blockbuster is not rooted in logical coherence but in a filmmaker's strong belief in their vision. He cited the work of SS Rajamouli, the director behind the epic Baahubali series, as a prime example of how conviction can trump conventional storytelling techniques.

“Conviction is what should be at the forefront of filmmaking. Logic doesn’t matter. If you look at Rajamouli's films, where do you see logic? You don’t, you see conviction. And when that conviction comes through, the audience believes in it," Johar stated.

While the discussion centred around the broader concept of filmmaking, Johar specifically highlighted Rajamouli’s ability to craft larger-than-life narratives that defy traditional logic yet captivate audiences worldwide. He pointed to Baahubali and its sequel, both of which were presented by Johar in North India, as quintessential examples of cinema driven by unshakable conviction rather than adhering strictly to realism.

Johar also drew a parallel with the 2001 blockbuster Gadar, starring Sunny Deol. In a humorous yet insightful remark, he recalled the iconic scene where Deol’s character defeats an army of a thousand with just a hand pump, stating, "If you can defeat a thousand people with a single hand pump, that's conviction, right? Anil Sharma believed that Sunny Deol could do this. That is pure conviction."

Karan Johar further emphasised the importance of a filmmaker’s self-belief, noting that this trait is vital for any project to succeed. “I want every filmmaker to have conviction in their DNA. When you start doubting yourself or second-guessing the audience, that's when the trouble begins,” he explained.