It’s in my DNA: Karan Johar promises 2026 return with classic Hindi cinema
Filmmaker Karan Johar will return to movie sets in 2026 to revive old-school Hindi cinema. In an introspective Instagram post on Sunday, the 53-year-old said direction is his true calling. He also expressed that the last year was a year of internal re-evaluations, revelations and resolutions for him.
Johar shared photos from his latest holiday in which he could be seen posing aboard a cruise. The caption of his post read, “The Sun, the Sea, The Clarity. The last year has been a year of internal re-evaluations, 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 of you slowly dissolves into emotional oblivion (sic).”
The director-producer further emphasised his commitment to storytelling. “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),” he stated.
Lastly, the ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ director concluded by saying, “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 (sic).”
He later uploaded another story in which he expressed, “getting the film you want to direct come to life is a good day at work and you’re at sea. (sic)”
The post received overwhelming support from not just fans, but also celebrities. Kajol, Kartik Aaryan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Hrithik Roshan, Parineeti Chopra and Tara Sutaria were some of the celebrities who liked Johar’s post on Instagram.
The announcement comes after Johar’s film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ received accolades at the 71st National Film Awards for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography. Starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, the 2023 film was a commercial and critical success.
