Acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar is gearing up to return to the director’s chair in 2026 with a large-scale family drama, a genre that has defined some of the most iconic moments of his career.

Known for timeless films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Johar has built a legacy rooted in romance, emotion, and cinematic spectacle.

According to a recent report, his upcoming project will be his biggest-scale film to date, set firmly in the emotional, family-oriented space made famous by his 2001 blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Script locked, production timeline

A report by Pinkvilla quoted a source close to the development saying Johar has already locked the script for his next directorial. Pre-production is expected to begin by mid-2026, with filming scheduled for the end of the year.

The source said Johar “brought in the New Year by locking the script,” signalling that the project is now firmly on track.

Two male, two female leads

The film is described as a high-octane family drama with a strong romantic and emotional core. It will reportedly feature two male leads and two female leads, with the casting process expected to begin soon.

The source added that this project will be a big-ticket marquee release from Dharma Productions, designed specifically for the theatrical medium.

Is it Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2?

While there has been no official confirmation on the title, industry buzz suggests the film may be informally referred to as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2 (K3G2). Insiders stress that while it may not be a direct sequel, it will exist in the same emotional and thematic space as the 2001 classic.

The original film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.

In a recent conversation on the YouTube channel of Manyavar, Johar reflected on why Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham remains the emotional and creative high point of his career.

He admitted that directing Amitabh Bachchan at the age of 28 felt surreal. Another defining moment, he said, was legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar lending her voice to the film’s title track—an experience that made him feel he had already reached a summit most filmmakers only dream of.

Netizens react with concern, criticism

Despite the excitement around Johar’s return, reports of a possible K3G follow-up have sparked mixed reactions online. Several netizens expressed disappointment, with some questioning whether the filmmaker is “ruining his own legacy.”

Social media users warned against remaking iconic moments, with one comment reading, “Get ready to see another classic getting ruined,” while others urged Johar to cancel the sequel altogether. Some also raised concerns about casting choices, predicting failure if nepotism dominates the lineup.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Karan Johar or Dharma Productions regarding the film’s title or casting. However, with the script locked and timelines in place, anticipation around Johar’s eighth directorial continues to build.