Karan Johar, born Rahul Kumar Johar on May 25, 1972, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, is a renowned Indian film director, producer, television presenter, costume designer, and actor primarily associated with Hindi cinema.

He is popularly known by his nickname "KJo." Karan is the son of the esteemed film producer Yash Johar and was introduced to the film industry at an early age due to his family background. He completed his education in Mumbai and later honed his filmmaking skills by assisting established filmmakers, gaining valuable experience before making his directorial debut.

He entered the film industry as an assistant director and quickly rose to prominence with his first directorial venture, the romantic comedy-drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). This film was a massive success both critically and commercially and earned him the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, the Filmfare Award for Best Director, and the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay. This breakthrough cemented his position as a leading filmmaker in Bollywood.

Following this success, he directed Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), a family drama that became one of the highest-grossing Indian films and achieved major success both domestically and internationally.

He continued to deliver hits with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), a musical romantic drama which dealt with the theme of extramarital relationships, further proving his ability to handle complex narratives. Another notable milestone in his career was My Name Is Khan (2010), a social drama focusing on religious prejudice, which won him his second Filmfare Award for Best Director and gained international acclaim.