In recent years, rise of OTT streaming services has given a platform to young indie filmmakers to present their work in front of masses. As a result, more youngsters are now aspiring to become filmmakers. However, it is definately not a walk in the park and filmmaker Karan Johar has a piece of advice for such aspirants.

During a recent conversation with Galatta Plus, Karan shared that it is essential for aspiring filmmakers to acquaint themselves with works of great directors like SS Rajamauli, Steven Spielberg and others.

He stated, “I think it’s not a prerequisite that you are an avid viewer. Like, I don’t have to do something 3000 times for me to do it well once. But I feel if you’ve not watched the great masters the great storytellers across the nation and the world, how can you say ‘I want to be a director?’ What is your knowledge? What have you learned?”

Karan further stated that it is not essential to attend film schools in order become a successful director. He said, "I judge talent shows in which people have self-taught dance, all kinds of acrobatics. Self-teaching is also a big phenomena today. You can teach yourself anything you want to, if you are passionate about it."