A candid moment on Koffee With Karan 9 sees Karan Johar acknowledge Sanjay Leela Bhansali's filmmaking abilities as Karisma Kapoor takes charge of the rapid-fire round.
Swati Bhat
It is not every day that Karan Johar finds himself answering the questions on Koffee With Karan. But when the filmmaker and television host switched places during the ninth season's premiere episode, his response to a question about directorial excellence brought Sanjay Leela Bhansali into the spotlight.
The episode, which premiered on JioHotstar on October 14, 2026, featured Salman Khan as its principal guest, with Karisma Kapoor making a special appearance to conduct the popular rapid-fire round. This time, Johar was also among those facing the questions.
Karisma asked him, “One director you believe is way stronger than you in your craft and execution?” Without an elaborate explanation, Johar named Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The response was brief, but the choice was significant. Coming from a filmmaker who has built his own identity through some of Hindi cinema's most recognisable romantic and family dramas, the acknowledgment offered a glimpse into the creative regard Johar holds for Bhansali.
Why Karan Johar's Praise for Sanjay Leela Bhansali Stands Out
Both directors have shaped mainstream Hindi cinema, although their storytelling approaches remain distinct.
Karan Johar's films, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, have explored relationships, family dynamics and contemporary emotions through commercially accessible narratives.
Bhansali, meanwhile, has developed a cinematic identity in which elaborate production design, music, costumes and emotionally intense storytelling frequently work together. From Devdas and Black to Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat and Gangubai Kathiawadi, his filmography demonstrates an enduring interest in visual composition and character-driven drama.
Mr.Johar's latest acknowledgment also builds on his earlier appreciation of Bhansali's aesthetic sensibilities. In a February 2026 interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, he praised the filmmaker's costume design and described him as one of Indian cinema's most distinctive aesthetic voices.
Bhansali's name also surfaced during Salman Khan's rapid-fire segment on the same episode. Asked who could direct a film based on his life, Khan suggested Bhansali for a tragic romantic interpretation, while identifying other filmmakers for different genres. These exchanges offer an interesting perspective on how filmmakers and actors recognise one another's creative strengths, even when their professional journeys and artistic approaches differ.
Love & War and Udta Teer: What's Next?
Bhansali is preparing Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The film, reportedly having completed principal photography, is expected to arrive in cinemas in January 2027. Johar, meanwhile, continues to expand Dharma Productions' slate, which includes Udta Teer, the Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan-starrer directed by Aakash A. Kaushik and scheduled for an October 23, 2026 theatrical release. While a rapid-fire answer is hardly a definitive comparison of two filmmakers' achievements, Johar's choice reveals something meaningful about creative appreciation within the industry. Beyond box-office performance and individual reputations, the ability to recognise another director's command over cinematic storytelling remains an important part of the filmmaking conversation.