Karan Johar To Direct ‘Old-Fashioned’ Hindi Movies In 2026? Director Promises, “It’s In My DNA, Why Run Away From It?”

Karan Johar – the filmmaker who gave us films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name Is Khan and more, is set to return to the director’s chair in 2026. You read that right! KJo – whose last directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani released in 2023, took to social media and promised to make a classic, old-fashioned Hindi film next year.

The actor-director-producer made the announcement while stating that he’s done running away from his roots just to please a bunch of people he doesn’t even know. Scroll below to check out what he wrote.

Karan Johar Promises To Direct ‘Old-Fashioned’ Hindi Movies Again

During the wee hours of Monday, August 18, Karan Johar took to Instagram and shares a couple of pictures basking in the sun while leaning over the water in style. Alongside the pics, the filmmaker shared a long caption-note, which read, “The Sun … the Sea…. The Clarity … The last year has been a year of internal revaluations , revelations and resolutions…. It almost feels like the onset of the 2.0 version of my life… Where you value what you truly have and feel for and the rest you slowly dissolve into emotional oblivion…”

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A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

KJo continued, “2026 is the year I will be back on set.. a promise I have made to myself… because that is not only my happy space and place but also my only calling in life… to tell stories with all the prerequisites of good old fashioned Hindi cinema… it’s in my DNA so why run away from it …( or try to please a bunch of people I don’t know ) The above may sound like a melange of random thoughts but it comes with so much clarity!!!! Seizing the moment not just the day… Love you all …”

Fans Reacts To KJo’s Post

Reacting to Karan’s post, one netizen wrote, “Just make films in ur old style, KKHH AND K3g! That’s what I need. And with SRK and Kajol, thanks.” Another added, “Karan Johar’s romance story is loading… and so are my expectations.” A third noted, “Come on Karan make a Romantic old age or romantic model age film with SRK. Only you, Yash Ji, and Aditya Chopra can present SRK what he is truly made for.” A fourth commented, “Can’t wait Karan! It all sounds totally clear to me… Can I just say..you are looking amazing.”

Karan As A Director

Karan made his directorial debut with the 1998 rom-com Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. His next outing as the captain of the ship was in 2001 with the iconic, multi-starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… – featuring SRK, Kajol, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

He followed it up with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in 2006, the much-loved and multi-award-winning My Name Is Khan in 2010, Student of the Year in 2012 and Bombay Talkies in 2013. After a 3-year gap, KJo directed Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), followed by Lust Stories in 2018 and Ghost Stories in 2020. His last directorial venture was the National Film Award film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

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Also Read: Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions Officially Partners With People Media Factory For Teja Sajja’s Mirai – Deets Inside

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.