Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions steps away from the conventional

"Initially, Dharma was associated with good-looking cinema. That was our USP. But now, with the kind of films we have been doing — from action to rom-coms to even socially relevant films — versatility is what defines us best today," articulated Karan, one of India’s most versatile filmmakers who has been experimenting with the films he has been dishing out recently.

Karan Johar has ruled the year 2012 with his hit releases Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and Student of the Year. While the first two films were produced by Karan’s production house, the film Student of the Year was also directed by him and produced jointly by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.
Speaking about the films released by his banner this year, Karan said, "While it was special for me to begin the year with a remake of my father's film, Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu broke the myth about rom-coms having a happy ending. It was bitter-sweet and unusual. With Student of the Year, we launched three fresh faces for the first time. The idea is to launch many more films and expand our base." His newest film is a trend-breaker of sorts for the director and is his fifth directorial venture. Student of the Year is the first film without Karan’s lucky mascot and good friend, Shah Rukh Khan, in the lead. This is also the first time Karan has relied completely on a cast of newcomers playing the lead.

In the near future, Karan will release a bunch of films including the Siddharth Malhotra-starrer Hasee Toh Phasee and the coming-of-age film Gippi.