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Amid Nadaniyaan criticism, Karan Johar announces new film, takes a jibe at trolls: ’24th debutant filmmaker, 90% are outsiders’

Filmmaker Karan Johar has announced Dharma Productions' next film with a note that didn't name the project but took a dig at trolls. Fans assumed it was Kesari 2, expected to star Akshay Kumar, Ananya Panday, and R Madhavan.

Karan Johar announces his next film, Kesari 2

Karan Johar is set to launch Dharma Productions’ ’24th debutant filmmaker’ as he announced his next film, which many assumed is Kesari 2. The filmmaker expressed his excitement for the project by calling it his ‘proudest film’ but didn’t name the project. Karan shared a brief pre-announcement note, taking a jibe at trolls for the nepotism tag.

Taking to his Instagram handle, the filmmaker wrote, “When I began producing films (once 1 stepped into Dharma as an active part of the company), in 2003 with Kal Ho Naa Ho – the idea was to empower filmmakers and storytellers…to pay it forward. We got it right…we got it wrong but the intent was always to put out stories and films we believed in. The motive was only either entertain, seek acclaim or to simply have fun at the movies!”

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Taking a jibe at trolls who criticize him for collaborating with star kids and not giving a fair chance to outsiders, the post further read, “I am so proud to say that our next offering is the 24th debutant filmmaker we have introduced to Hindi cinema! (Trivia for trollers: 90 per cent of them are ‘outsiders’) (sic). I rarely write notes before the release of a film but few films excite me, energise me and inspire me the way the process of this film has. Our collaborative producer and debutant director have been on the journey of this film for 4 years (sic).” The filmmaker has been at the receiving end of hate after Nadaniyaan, produced by his Dharmatic, came out. The film starred Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor and was directed by debutant Shauna Gautam.

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A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

“The director did nothing else but put his head down and work relentlessly on his film combating pandemic delays and other unforeseen circumstances. I am inspired by the team of actors and technicians who gave the film and the team so much consistent support and love. One can never predict commercial success BUT what I can say with all my heart is that this film is one of Dharma’s proudest films. I say this as a filmmaker and an audience. I pray for the team that the audience is coloured in the colour of their passion. See you at the movies (sic),” Karan concluded.

Several fans flooded the comment section with their guesses, with most speculating that the announcement is about Kesari Chapter 2, a sequel to Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra’s 2019 war drama Kesari. “KESARI CHAPTER 2 announcement when?? (sic),” a fan wrote. Another user commented, “Kesari chapter 2 tomorrow announcement”. The film is expected to star Akshay Kumar, Ananya Panday, and R Madhavan in lead roles.

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