Karan Johar to start work on 'offbeat' film

Karan Johar is said to be working on an 'offbeat' film project.

The producer-director is expected to announce details of his new realistic cinema venture in early 2012, The Times of India reports.

"Karan Johar has been trying out different subjects ever since he made Kaal," said a source. "That was the first action thriller he produced. Then he made films like Wake Up Sid."

Johar had earlier established a reputation for releasing elaborate, big-budget films shot in overseas locales with the biggest names in Hindi cinema.

"Karan is confident of the script. And everyone at Dharma is pretty excited about it. Karan intends to announce the project in a big way in the New Year. Till then everything has been kept under wraps," the source added.

Johar had success in attempting a different form of cinema with 2010 terrorism-themed project My Name Is Khan.

The Dharma Productions head has also gone back on his vow of not working with debut actors by casting newcomers in the upcoming Student of the Year.