Indians abroad more Indian that those at home: Karan Johar

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) His films like "Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "Kal Ho Na Ho", have mirrored the feelings and the aspirations of the several Non-Resident Indians settled in foreign countries like the United States, United Kingdom and European countries.

He may often be criticised by the media and the film industry for catering to the NRI audience, but Karan Johar sees in his films a means of taking Indianness to the global audience.

''I do not understand why Indian Immigrants settled in foreign countries are viewed as aliens. I feel that in many respects, these people are more Indians than those living at home as despite being far away from their motherland they have made an extra effort to stay closer to their roots. In fact, they follow Indian rituals and traditions more devoutly than people here in Mumbai do. Also, I know of many five-year olds from Indian families settled in London who can recite the 'Gayatri Mantra' by heart, something which I cannot say about kids back home,''Karan said at a discussion on "The Immigrant Experience" at the India today Conclave here this evening.

Lauding the contribution of these people in propogating Indian culture the World over, the filmmaker said,''by following the Indian rituals and traditions in the countries of their residence, they are creating a world of Indianness around themselves.'' On the oft held view that his films reflected the life of these people, Karan said,''the purpose of my films is only to bring Indian culture to the Western countries. Portraying the life of NRIs is only an attempt to look at an additional audience for the films.'' In fact, he felt that commercial and mainstream film, replete with songs, dance and romance, were today more effective in striking a chord with the Western audiences than the so-called crossover films made in the hinglish language.

''A film like 'Bend It Like Beckham' is not an Indian film in the real sense. For one, it is an English language film. Also, like most crossover films, it is subtle and hence caters more to Western sensibilities than those of Indians. What make for an Indian films is one which has an "Indian soul" and which puts all the emotions "on the table",''Karan said.

In this context, he cited the instance wherein during a screening of his "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" at France, the audiences comprising of local Frenchmen wept copiously on watching the emlodramatic scenes.

UNI AR VD RK2002