Mumbai: After more than two decades of shaping Hindi cinema with emotion driven stories, Karan Johar is ready to step back into the director’s chair. According to Pinkvilla, the filmmaker has locked his eighth directorial venture, which is expected to go on floors by the end of 2026. The untitled project is reportedly a grand family drama where Johar will take a return to the genre that propelled him into the household name.
From Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, Karan Johar has maintained an impressive directorial run. Movies such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, My Name Is Khan, Student of the Year, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil have helped him retain viewers to his brand of cinema. Having not taken any wrong steps yet as a director, his expectations about his next are gradually rising.
Karan Johar’s Big Scale Family Drama in the K3G Space
Sources close to the development told Pinkvilla that after the success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Karan felt drawn back to the emotional family drama space. The upcoming movie is even being described as his largest undertaking so far in terms of scale. Karan Johar has allegedly announced the beginning of the new year by locking the script, and this is an indication that this project is here to stay.
The film will feature two male leads and two female leads and will carry a strong romantic and emotional core. It is anticipated that pre production will commence in mid 2026 with casting probable to commence shortly. The project is positioned as the marquee theatrical release by Dharma Productions in the year.
Interestingly, industry buzz suggests that the film could be titled Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2, though sources stress that it is too early to confirm the name. It is evident that the movie will be living in the same emotional and thematic realm as the 2001 blockbuster that starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan.
With Karan Johar returning to a genre that defines his legacy, his next directorial is already one of the most awaited projects on the industry calendar. All eyes are now on the casting and official announcement that will set the stage for this ambitious family drama.
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