Mumbai, Jan 28 (IANS): Filmmaker Karan Johar is ecstatic with the reception of his latest production "Agneepath", helmed by a debutant director, Karan Malhotra, who is getting rave reviews. Johar says he has a natural instinct for choosing his directors.

In the recent past, Johar has given a platform to first-time directors like Ayan Mukherji for "Wake Up Sid"; Rensil D'Silva for "Kurbaan"; Tarun Mansukhani for "Dostana"; Siddhartha Malhotra for "We Are Family"; and Punit Malhotra for "I Hate Luv Storys".

His upcoming production, "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" is also directed by newcomer Shakun Batra, while Johar's co-production with Ekta Kapoor will see newcomer Akshay Roy wielding the megaphone.

"I think it's an instinct that I have. I have got it right some times and I have gone wrong with it at times but mostly, I have gone right with the directors I have worked with because they are solid human beings and that is what I look for," the 39-year-old said here at the success party of "Agneepath", a remake of his father's 1990 film by the same name.

Karan also has a handy tip for all the directors who are trying to work their way to the top.

"The only thing that I did in my first film and that I would tell every first director is that let your work speak for yourself. I never gave a single interview till 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' released because I had nothing to say."

"Why should anyone hear me out when they had not seen the work that I had done," said Johar, who hit the jackpot with his debut film and continued his success story with his second film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham".

"Now Karan Malhotra is open to the world of media and I would like him to spread his wings and fly and today you can ask many things from him because you have seen his film," he added.

Johar's last directorial venture was "My Name Is Khan" for which he won the Filmfare award for best director. He is currently busy directing his next, "Student of The Year."