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Karan Johar Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth25 May 1972

Age52 Years

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionDirector, Producer, Writer, TV Host

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyChildren: Yash (son), Roohi (daughter); Parents: Late Yash Johar, Hiroo Johar; Cousins: Aditya Chopra, Uday Chopra

Karan Johar Biography

Karan Johar is an Indian filmmaker, producer, writer and television host known for directing popular Bollywood films, leading Dharma Productions, and for a

Early life and background

Karan Dharma Kama Johar was born on 25 May 1972 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Raised in the city that would later be central to his career, he attended Greenlaws High School and went on to study at H.R. College of Commerce and Economics. Johar holds a master’s degree in French and is fluent in the language. He is the son of the late producer Yash Johar and Hiroo Johar.

Career

Johar began his screen career as a child and young actor, appearing in television and films before moving behind the camera. He assisted veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra early on, and launched his directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998, a film that established him as a mainstream Bollywood director. Prior to directing, he appeared on screen in films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and the Doordarshan serial Indradhanush (1989).

He has worked across roles as director, producer, writer and television host. Several of his directorial and production efforts have been recognised with major Indian film awards, including National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare and IIFA honours. Notable accolades in his career include the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999) and a Filmfare Best Director Award for the same film. He later won Filmfare and IIFA awards for work on films such as My Name Is Khan and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

As a producer, Johar leads Dharma Productions, the Mumbai-based company founded by his family. In October 2024, business changes saw Adar Poonawalla acquire a significant stake in Dharma Productions and assume the role of executive chairman of the company’s creative vision.

Public profile

Johar is a prominent and sometimes polarising figure in Indian popular culture. He has been a visible television personality and is widely known by the nickname KJo. He has collected a wide range of industry honours over his career, and in 2020 he was awarded the Padma Shri.

His public life has also included controversies that received media attention. These include public disputes with fellow filmmakers and involvement in debates around high-profile events and industry issues. In 2015 an FIR was filed in relation to a widely publicised comedy roast, and his name surfaced during investigations connected to the wider drug-related inquiries in Bollywood in 2020; Johar publicly denied hosting any drug-related parties. After the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, Johar was among industry figures criticised in public discussion about nepotism. He has additionally been the subject of other disputed claims and reports discussed in the press.

Personal life

Johar is unmarried and is a single parent to twins, a son named Yash and a daughter named Roohi, born via surrogacy in March 2017. He is openly gay. He has described himself as close to his mother and has spoken publicly about experiences with depression and anxiety in the past. Johar collects antiques and old items and has an interest in fashion; he is known for wearing velvet jackets and has been involved in costume design for leading actors on several films.

Other notes

He has worked as a costume designer on films featuring Shah Rukh Khan and has been credited with a number of roles across the creative process in his productions. Johar once served as a jury member at the Miss World contest and has participated in international cultural events; he was among Indian invitees to the London Olympics opening ceremony. He remains a prominent figure in Hindi cinema, with ambitions that have included winning international recognition for Indian filmmaking.

Latest updates

In 2024–2025, Johar continued to be recognised for his contributions: he received a Special Jury Award for the film Shershaah in 2023, and in 2025 received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In October 2024 a major business transaction shifted ownership stakes at Dharma Productions, with Adar Poonawalla acquiring half the company and taking on an executive creative role.
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Recent Work

Shershaah

Received a Special Jury Award in 2023

2023
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Won National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 2025

2025
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Career Highlights

  1. Directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
  2. National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment (1999) for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
  3. Filmfare Best Director Award (1999) for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
  4. Padma Shri (2020)
  5. Special Jury Award for Shershaah (2023)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Karan Johar born?

25 May 1972

What is Karan Johar known for?

Director, Producer, Writer, TV Host

What is Karan Johar’s marital status?

Unmarried