Karan Johar to launch first-time directors

Karan Johar has revealed plans to launch a number of new directors at Dharma Productions.

Johar made the decision following the back-to-back success of Agneepath and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, from debut filmmakers Karan Malhotra and Shakun Batra.

The producer told Mumbai Mirror: "At Dharma, we have already introduced nine directors. We are extremely proud of their films. Taking the train of thought further, we plan to expand our production base and launch many more first-time filmmakers in the immediate future."

Johar is expected to announce details of Sonam Nair's directorial debut. The US-trained filmmaker had previously worked on Bollywood releases including Wake Up Sid, Dostana and 7 Khoon Maaf.

Johar is also launching former Bollywood assistant director Akshay Roy in his Ekta Kapoor co-production.

Dharma Productions has previously been involved in the debut projects of Nikhil Advani (Kal Ho Na Ho), Soham Shah (Kaal), Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana), Rensil D'Silva (Kurbaan), Siddharth Malhotra (We Are Family), Ayan Mukherji (Wake Up Sid) and Punit Malhotra (I Hate Luv Storys).

Student of the Year, Johar's next release as a director, will open in 2012.