Honestly, if you ask most people about Karan Johar movies and tv shows, they’ll probably start humming a tune from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or mention a scandalous "Rapid Fire" round from his couch. It’s a vibe. The glitter, the massive mansions, the designer threads—it’s been the KJo brand for over two decades. But something shifted recently.
It's 2026, and the guy who once said "it's all about loving your parents" is now deep in the weeds of an Oscar campaign for a gritty movie about migrant workers. Yeah, you read that right. While the world was busy meme-ing his "nepotism" comments, Johar was quietly steering Homebound toward the 98th Academy Awards.
The Evolution of the Dharma Empire
Karan Johar didn't just wake up and decide to be a mogul. He started as a guy in a bright shirt dancing in the background of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Then 1998 happened. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai changed everything. It made friendship "cool" and college campuses look like summer camps in Switzerland.
But look at his trajectory since then. He went from the high-glam Student of the Year (2012) to producing films like The Lunchbox and Kill. He’s playing both sides of the coin now. One minute he’s backing a massive superhero epic like Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, and the next, he's bankrolling a small, heart-wrenching drama that has nothing to do with high-fashion weddings.
Breaking Down the Current Slate
If you’re looking for what’s actually happening with Karan Johar movies and tv shows right now, the 2025-2026 calendar is absolutely packed.
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- Homebound (2025/2026): This is the one everyone is talking about in the industry circles. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, it’s India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, it’s a far cry from the typical Dharma glitz. Karan himself called the Oscar campaign a "bottomless pit" of expenses, but he’s doing it for the "credibility," not the cash.
- Naagzilla (2026): Slated for an August 14 release, this is a wild pivot. It’s a supernatural high-fantasy comedy starring Kartik Aaryan as a shape-shifting serpent. It sounds ridiculous, and that’s exactly why people are hyped.
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2 (Rumored 2026): The whispers won't die down. Industry insiders suggest Karan is returning to the director’s chair for a massive family drama that feels like a spiritual successor to his 2001 classic. Two male leads, two female leads, and a whole lot of tears.
- Brahmāstra Part Two: Dev: We've been waiting. 2026 is the year the sequel is expected to finally hit the big screen, continuing the "Astraverse" that Karan has bet so much on.
The "Koffee" Problem: Is the Talk Show Still Relevant?
You can’t talk about Karan Johar movies and tv shows without mentioning Koffee with Karan. It’s the show that launched a thousand controversies. From the infamous Hardik Pandya episode to the "Nepo Mafia" tag that Kangana Ranaut slapped on him right there on his own couch.
In its eighth and ninth seasons, the show has had to pivot. People got tired of the "who are you dating" questions. Lately, the vibe is a bit more reflective—well, as reflective as you can be while sitting on a couch that costs more than a mid-sized sedan.
The move to Disney+ Hotstar was smart. It freed him from the constraints of TV sensors, but it also made the show feel a bit more exclusive, maybe even a little "gatekeepy" to some fans. Still, if you want to know who is trending in Mumbai, you watch the show. Simple as that.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "KJo Formula"
People love to hate on him. They say he only makes movies for the 1%. And for a long time? They were kinda right. But if you look at the Dharma Productions filmography lately, it’s surprisingly diverse.
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Take Kill (2024), for instance. It’s a brutal, blood-soaked actioner on a train. No songs. No romantic subplots in the middle of a fight. Just pure, unadulterated violence. It shocked people because it came from the man who gave us My Name Is Khan.
He’s also leaned heavily into the OTT space. Shows like The Fame Game and Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (which is basically his version of the Kardashians) prove he knows how to capture the streaming audience. He isn't just making movies; he's making "content" in the most modern sense of the word.
The Business of Being Karan
Last year, a major headline broke: Adar Poonawalla bought a 50% stake in Dharma Productions.
A lot of fans thought that meant Karan was "selling out" or stepping back. Actually, it’s the opposite. By bringing in a partner with deep pockets, he’s been able to fund these "passion projects" like Homebound without worrying about the bottom line of every single film. It’s a survival tactic. In an era where South Indian cinema (think Pushpa or RRR) is dominating the Hindi box office, Karan had to modernize or die.
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Real Talk: The 2026 Outlook
If you're a fan—or even a hater—there’s no ignoring him this year.
- Watch the Oscars: On January 22, 2026, the final nominations are announced. If Homebound makes the cut, it changes Karan's legacy forever. He won't just be the "romance guy"; he'll be an Academy-nominated producer.
- The Kartik Aaryan Collab: Keep an eye on Naagzilla. It’s the first time Karan and Kartik have worked together after their very public fallout during Dostana 2. It’s a huge "ego-check" moment for the industry.
- The Directorial Return: We haven't seen a Karan Johar-directed film since Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). If the 2026 family drama happens, expect the theaters to be packed.
Karan Johar is basically the architect of modern Bollywood pop culture. You might not like every building he designs, but you definitely know his name is on the front door. Whether it's the high-octane drama of a theatrical release or a leaked snippet from his latest TV appearance, the man knows how to keep us talking.
Next Steps for the KJo Fan:
To keep up with the latest updates, follow the official Dharma Productions social channels, as they've been dropping "behind-the-scenes" mini-vlogs for Naagzilla lately. Also, check out the Homebound interviews on PeepingMoon—Karan gets surprisingly honest about the "bottomless pit" of awards season there.