7 Movies by Karan Johar to Watch: Every Film He Has Directed

The best movies by Karan Johar to watch are Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), My Name Is Khan (2010), Student of the Year (2012), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). These are the seven feature films he has directed so far.

Karan Johar is a director, producer, television host and the head of Dharma Productions. His films are known for large sets, foreign locations, family drama, romance and hit soundtracks. He received the Padma Shri in 2020. Here is a guide to every feature film he has directed, in order of release. For more film lists, visit our entertainment section.

Quick facts: Karan Johar’s films as director

Year	Film	Lead cast
1998	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai	Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji
2001	Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham	Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor
2006	Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna	Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta
2010	My Name Is Khan	Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol
2012	Student of the Year	Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt
2016	Ae Dil Hai Mushkil	Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
2023	Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani	Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt

7 movies by Karan Johar to watch

1. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

Johar’s debut is a story of friendship and love set across college days and adult life. Rahul and Anjali are best friends who do not realise their feelings in time. Years later, Rahul’s young daughter, guided by letters from her late mother, sets out to bring them together again.

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The film was a major hit, and its songs are still played at college events and weddings. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, along with several Filmfare Awards, including Best Director for Johar.

2. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Often called K3G, this is a large family drama about the Raichand family. The adopted elder son, Rahul, marries a woman from a modest background against his father’s wishes and leaves home. Years later, his younger brother travels to London to reunite the family.

With a star cast, grand sets and festival songs, K3G became one of the biggest Hindi hits of its time. Characters such as Poo and lines from the film remain popular in memes even today.

3. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

Set in New York, this film follows two people in unhappy marriages who become friends and then fall in love. It was a bold subject for mainstream Hindi cinema in 2006, and it divided audiences.

Reviews were mixed, but the film did well at the box office, especially overseas. The title track and songs such as “Mitwa” were widely liked.

4. My Name Is Khan (2010)

This was a clear change of direction for Johar. Shah Rukh Khan plays Rizwan Khan, a man with Asperger’s syndrome living in the United States. After the September 11 attacks change the way his family is treated, he sets out on a journey to meet the US President.

Shot largely in the United States, the film dealt with prejudice and identity. It was praised for its performances and its theme, and Johar won the Filmfare Award for Best Director for it.

5. Student of the Year (2012)

After a serious film, Johar returned with a light campus drama. Two friends at a rich school compete for the Student of the Year trophy and fall for the same girl, which tests their friendship.

The film introduced Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, who all went on to become leading stars. A sequel, Student of the Year 2, followed in 2019, but Johar produced it and did not direct it.

6. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

This film looks at one-sided love and heartbreak. Ayan, a young singer, falls for his close friend Alizeh, who sees him only as a friend and goes back to her former partner. Ayan’s later relationship with an older poet, Saba, adds another layer.

Reviews were mixed on the story, but the music by Pritam, especially the title track and “Channa Mereya”, topped the charts.

7. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Johar’s most recent film as director came seven years after Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and 25 years after his debut. Rocky, from a wealthy Punjabi family in Delhi, and Rani, a journalist from a Bengali family, fall in love and decide to live with each other’s families before marrying.

The film mixed comedy and family drama with comments on gender roles and patriarchy. It was a box office success and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, the same award his debut film had received.

Short films and anthologies directed by Karan Johar

Johar has also directed segments in three anthology films:

• Bombay Talkies (2013): the segment “Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh”, about a married couple and a secret.
• Lust Stories (2018): a Netflix anthology where his segment, starring Kiara Advani, was widely discussed.
• Ghost Stories (2020): a horror anthology, also for Netflix.

What is next for Karan Johar

As a producer, Johar continues to back several Dharma Productions films each year. In October 2024, it was widely reported that Adar Poonawalla’s Serene Productions had bought a 50% stake in Dharma Productions. As director, Johar said in an August 2025 social media post that 2026 would be the year he returns to a film set. His long-planned historical drama Takht, announced in 2018, was put on hold. Follow our people section for updates once his next film as director is officially announced.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Wikipedia: Karan Johar, Wikipedia: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, IANS.