Does it feel like Karan Johar is everywhere? That’s because he actually is. Spotted in a “somber is the new over-the-top” look at the promotional events for Jigra, just days after the Call Me Bae screening (was that lipstick mark on his shirt a nod to his beauty brand Pout?), he was next seen mingling with the fashionable and famous at the Dharmatic Entertainment Gala. Not to mention, exchanging banter with his BFF SRK as host of IIFA.
Seriously, does Karan Johar ever take five?
“I work on national holidays, on weekends. I don’t like holidays,” he tells Esquire.
With so much on his plate, the fashion-forward multihyphenate — who lists himself as "director, producer, talk show host, reality TV judge, businessman, investor, social media influencer, and clotheshorse" on his IG handle — can’t afford to take a day off. It’s been a whirlwind year of back-to-back releases for his Dharma Productions, including Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, Good Newwz, Yodha, Ae Watan Mere Watan and Kill. But the grind doesn’t stop there — his upcoming slate is even more packed. The much-awaited Dhadak 2 is set to hit theatres in November 2024, followed by Brahmastra – Part Two: Dev in 2026, and the third of the trilogy in 2027. Add to that Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari in April 2025 and Thamba, also releasing that year, and it’s clear that KJo’s schedule is nothing short of relentless.
If that wasn’t enough, Johar also teased a mysterious new project — his eighth directorial venture — announced fittingly on his birthday (because, of course, no days off!). Esquire caught up with him during a photoshoot for an upcoming publication, and tried to pry some details out of him. Dressed in a sharp black suit and aviators, he responded with a playful laugh, saying, “I can’t tell you anything about my latest project because I know very little about it myself.” However, his signature smirk said it all — the creative wheels are already in motion, even if the full vision is still taking shape.
Helming Dharma Productions, which reported a revenue of ₹1,044 crores in 2023, and directing since the 1998 blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Johar continues to find inspiration in the everyday — a testament to his staying power in an ever-evolving industry. “I like to walk the streets of cities, sometimes on my own,” he shares. “When you just walk and experience solitude, and observe people, ideas start to come. Most of my ideas come from the people I’ve met and the places I’ve visited.”
So what keeps him going, even when things don’t go according to plan. His answer was refreshingly honest: “Failure and success are neighbours,” he said, pointing out that they’re inevitable and interconnected. “Just like you enjoy the benefits of success, you also need the lessons from failure.”
This outlook is a key part of Karan’s work ethic. While he’s celebrated for blockbuster hits like Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (2023), he’s also faced setbacks, like the underperformance of Bombay Velvet (2015), which he co-produced. But instead of slowing down, Karan’s ability to embrace both success and failure has only pushed him forward, keeping him resilient in an industry that’s constantly shifting.
And when it comes to Bollywood’s future, Karan is just as focused. “We’re in a transition phase. We’re trying to find our feet, and I think we’ll get there soon,” he explains. It’s a grounded view, especially from someone who has been a part of the industry’s evolution for over two decades.