Entertainment as an audience is sitting 3 hours in a theatre or front of a screen viewing a film or series on a whim. Today, audiences have a plethora of options when it comes to content with their providers. It has become a task to decide what to watch when sitting for lunch or dinner or just taking a break from the regular series you watch.

Such a painstaking process, right? For the audience, no, for the makers, that's a definite yes! Hundreds, maybe thousands of people invested their time in what the audiences watch for 3 hours or 3 seasons. When a film flops, the people behind the scenes pause, reflect, and then move on to their following projects, while the viewers might skip it.

Average or flop, the production house must bear the brunt. But only a few handle it well, one of them being Yash Johar, the visionary who created Dharma Productions. What began as a small production house in the late 1970s is synonymous with complete grandeur, absolute storytelling excellence, and an outstanding blend of modern and customary narratives.

Yash Johar’s journey in creating Dharma Productions as a true cinematic powerhouse presents enormous perseverance, ample ingenuity, and a deep comprehension of the pulse of Indian audiences.

This article delves into how Yash Johar’s undeniable foresight, constant work ethic, and worthy-of-commendation personal values built a foundation and how his son, Karan Johar, has managed to keep Dharma relevant.
From Amritsar to the Silver Screen: The Early Life of Yash Johar

Born in Amritsar, Punjab, in 1929, Yash Johar's celebrated adventure to the heart of Bollywood was assuredly not a direct path. His family had wide-ranging roots in the Arya Samaj. The Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement, and his family imparted large values and a deep sense of cultural identity to him. His passion for cinema simmered beneath the surface.

Yash Johar's entry into the film industry was significant not as a director or actor with starry eyes but strictly as a photographer. Yash, who had a family sweets business named ‘Nanking Sweets’, hated managing its account. A photographer at heart, his mother pushed him to leap, and he came to Mumbai. He was desperate to become a Times of India photographer, and he somehow impressed the otherwise photo-shy Madhubala and got her to pose for a few photos. TOI then hired him.

Yash then worked as a production controller for several filmmakers, including Dev Anand and Sunil Dutt, and later became a film producer. He sharpened his skills and learned many details of filmmaking. This experience significantly shaped his understanding of the industry and set the stage for his later attempts.

The Genesis of Dharma Productions

Yash Johar launched Dharma Productions in 1976 to make movies that were both artistic and able to make money. During Bollywood's domination by largely formulaic cinema, Johar envisioned a space for films that told many meaningful stories and appealed to all masses. He worked with filmmakers such as Dev Anand at Navketan Films. This gave him an understanding of filmmaking. He also learned the importance of balancing creativity with commerce.

The debut film of Dharma Productions, "Dostana" (1980), starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman and directed by Raj Khosla, was a box office success. It presented Johar’s extraordinary ability to assemble genuinely outstanding talent. He told a story that audiences deeply related to. This success was one early indicator of the production house’s potential.

His son, Karan Johar, mentioned in an interview that his father took a massive loan from SP Hinduja to produce the film. He named his production company after Hindjua’s son, Dharam.

Yash Johar's Appeal

Yash Johar believed that compelling stories could touch many hearts and minds. His films frequently explored universal themes like love, family, and morality, guaranteeing they deeply resonated with audiences across generations.

Johar was a perfectionist known for his precise attention to detail. From securing an ideal filming location to guaranteeing accurate costumes and sets, he dedicated maximum effort to producing a visually appealing and genuinely engaging movie. Many of his films often featured lavish production values. That particular hallmark continues to define Dharma Productions strongly.

Even in the early days, Yash Johar definitively recognised the immense potential of Indian cinema for the global stage. He was one of the first producers to film in several international places. His movies attained everyday appeal as a result of this. This trend was influential. Many filmmakers followed it later.

Some Films Under the Leadership of Yash Johar, that Propelled Dharma Productions

Directed by Ramesh Talwar, Duniya (1984) showed that Yash Johar liked emotionally charged stories. Starring Dilip Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, and Amrita Singh, the film explores justice and redemption and resonates with many audiences because of its depth and dramatic intensity.

Yash Johar produced 'Agneepath' (1990), directed by Mukul S. Anand, a memorable film starring Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. The film was released. It was not a box office success. The film steadily gained cult status over the years and was commended for its incredibly gripping narrative, intense performances, and notably powerful dialogues. Amitabh Bachchan won a National Film Award for his performance. Johar's key decision to back such an incredibly bold project highlighted his openness to taking chances and advocating original narratives.

'Gumrah' (1993), a thriller unlike most Bollywood movies, was produced through Yash Johar's work with director Mahesh Bhatt. Starring Sridevi and Sanjay Dutt, the film showed Johar’s ability to try different genres and keep the audience interested with its suspenseful story and good acting.

A Family Affair

Thinking of films as a risky business, Yash took a sabbatical. He then started an import-export business known as ‘Yashwan Exports’, which mainly exported wrought iron to New York and Paris.

While Yash Johar diligently built his production house, his son, Karan Johar, steadily grew up with a deep fascination with cinema. Karan's passion for filmmaking was undeniable, but both of his parents had initial reservations about him joining the film industry.

When Karan Johar joined Dharma Productions in the mid-1990s, he brought a fresh perspective and a sharp comprehension of contemporary audiences. This marked a meaningful turning point for the production house. Yash Johar's deep experience and values merged with Karan's energetic energy and original vision.

1998 proved to be quite a watershed year for Dharma Productions, with Karan Johar's 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,' starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, becoming a complete phenomenon that caught the hearts of an entire generation. Its remarkably youthful energy, intensely catchy music and exceptionally relatable characters related to audiences made it a massive commercial success and firmly created Dharma Productions' position as a leading production house.

'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' marked the start of Karan Johar's directing career. He has directed movies since then. This project also pointed out a certain synergy between father and son. With Yash Johar's guidance and support, Karan's original talent became a winning combination.

In 2004, the exceedingly sad passing of Yash Johar after a long battle with cancer represented profound tragedy for the Johar family and Dharma Productions. His death left a void not only in the hearts of his family but also in the film fraternity.

Yash Johar's son, Karan Johar, is at the helm of Dharma Productions. Carrying forward his father's legacy was a truly daunting task for him. He resolved to continue producing many films that would entertain many audiences and touch countless hearts to honour his father's memory, even though he was grief-stricken.

Karan Johar boldly dared to produce several films that few then would. Infidelity and relationships are explored in "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006). This Bollywood drama features multiple complexities. Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Abhishek Bachchan are the stars in the film. It also uses unhappy marriages and emotional conflicts to challenge love stories. As it digs into moral dilemmas, one of Karan Johar’s more unconventional films is unique from the generality of Bollywood romances.

The Bollywood drama My Name is Khan (2010) stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. It is about Rizwan Khan, an autistic Muslim man who goes on a U.S. adventure to prove that “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.” The film combines social issues, autism representation, and post-9/11 prejudice in a way that is different from typical Bollywood films.

The company co-produced the remarkably successful 2013 drama 'The Lunchbox', nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language. It's a heartwarming drama from India. Starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the movie explores a quite unusual connection that forms through a misdelivered lunchbox. The film's success stems from subtle storytelling, unspoken emotions, and everyday realism. It explores many instances of longing and plentiful missed opportunities. The film shows the complete power of human connection with minimal dialogue and intense poignancy in a normal but memorable way.

Dharma Productions in 2025

Dharma Productions has produced 63 Hindi films, some of which were co-produced with companies like Red Chillies Entertainment and Star Studios. It has also presented six films in other Indian languages from multiple companies.

Under Karan Johar's leadership, Dharma Productions has markedly scaled new heights, becoming India's most significant production house today. The company regularly produces major blockbusters, successfully launching the careers of many stars and greatly expanding into multiple filmmaking avenues.

While Karan Johar's vision and business acumen have helped Dharma succeed, it's vital to remember Yash Johar's foundational work: his values, dedication to quality cinema, and belief in nurturing talent guide Dharma Productions' adventure.

In July 2016, a new sector called Dharma 2.0, dedicated to producing advertising commercials, was launched. Created in November 2018, Dharmatic Entertainment produces film and television content for many online distribution platforms.

In October 2024, Adar Poonawalla acquired an essential share of Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, prevailing over Reliance and Saregama. According to a Bollywood production house announcement, Poonawalla's Serene Entertainment has purchased a 50% stake in Dharma for ₹1000 crore; Karan Johar will still own the other 50%.

According to Karan Johar, Dharma is running smoothly as he anticipates Adar’s contributions; however, the reason for the stake acquisition remains unknown. Dharma Productions’ recent track record hints at possible financial motives, and an analysis supports this idea. From 2022 to 2024, Dharma Productions released 10 films. Only one film achieved significant success. Four films performed average, one was below average, two were flops, and two were categorised as disasters.

The Takeaway

While Karan Johar has become the face of Dharma Productions, Yash Johar's profound influence is still reflected in the company's DNA. He was an absolute silent force and an unsung hero who provided the entire basis for Dharma's reign. The films that the production house creates keep his legacy alive. He imparted essential values that guaranteed Dharma Productions would remain prominent in the Indian film industry.

Yash Johar’s contributions to Indian cinema go far beyond just the films he produced. His professionalism, creativity and emotional storytelling set a high standard and have inspired generations of filmmakers. He created Dharma Productions, a platform that shaped many artists' careers and elevated Bollywood's global standing.

Yash Johar's abundant passion, hard work, and essential vision helped him transition from being a production controller to the founder of a leading production house. His adventure proves this point quite well. Even if he did not seek much limelight, his contributions to Indian cinema are undeniable. He designed a blueprint for Dharma Productions, and Karan Johar used that foundation to build his entire cinematic empire.

Today, Dharma Productions stands tall as a genuinely successful production house in India, a declaration of Yash Johar’s singular vision and values. His legacy is kept alive by the company's multiple frames, stories and milestones. This adventure by Dharma Productions is a tribute to the man. This man dared to dream big, bringing those dreams to life on the silver screen.