Hot Indian filmmaker Karan Johar has announced expansion plans for his production outfit, Dharma Productions.

After producing five films over the past decade, Johar plans to release three films a year from 2009, focusing on contemporary stories, debut directors, CG animation and new talent both in front of and behind the camera.

New titles include Johar's fourth and as-yet-untitled film, set to star Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, which is scheduled to start shooting from October 2008.

Meanwhile, his former assistant Tarun Mansukhani will direct Dostana featuring Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra and Bobby Deol. The film is slated for release at the end of 2008.

Animated film Kootchie Kootchie Hota Hain celebrates a decade of Johar's directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Directed by Mansukhani and co-produced with LA and Mumbai-based animation house Prana Studios, the film will feature the voices of the original cast - Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee.

The fourth as-yet-untitled film will be directed by Rang De Basanti writer Rensil D'Silva and star Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and one more lead actor. Production is scheduled to start in October 2008.

Johar is also associated with TV channel NDTV Imagine and has been the popular host of chat show Koffee With Karan.

Dharma Productions was established by his father, producer Yash Johar, and Karan took over the reigns when his father passed away in 2004.

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