Yash Johar

Yash Johar Biography

Yash Johar was a noted producer of Bollywood who founded Dharma Productions. His son Karan Johar is a famous director of Bollywood who has delivered hits under Dharma Productions – Kuch kuch hota hai, Kal ho na ho, Kabhi alvida na kehna and My name is Khan. Yash Johar founded Dharma Productions in 1976 which gave preference to social dramas, romantic love stories and Indian tradition than action and thrillers. Dharma Productions has always stood as a family entertainer.

Johar began his career in Bollywood in 1952 in Sunil Dutt's production house Ajanta Arts and worked as an assistant for his movies like Mujhe jeene do and Yeh raaste hain pyar. He assisted Dev Anand in Guide as well. He continued with Dev Anand's Navketan Films and handled production of films like Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari and Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Dharma production was launched in the year 1976, Dostana directed by Raj Khosle being the first movie. The movie starred two big stars – Amitabh bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha together and this story of friendship was a roaring success at box office too.  In 1984, Yash Johar produced the movie – Duniya starring Rishi Kapoor and Dilip Kumar as leads and in 1987, Muqaddar Ka Faisla.

He continued to deliver hits in 1990’s as well. Two blockbuster movies of Big B during early 90’s – Hum and Agneepath were produced by Johar. One of the noted flops in the second half of 90’s was Duplicate which starred SRK, Juhi Chawla and Sonali Bendre in the leading roles. Then Karan Johar directed the movie, Kuch kuch hota hai under his father’s production company in the year 1998. The rest is just history! With the success of KKHH, Dharma Productions became a huge production company and it was well organized by Karan Johar also.

It was followed by the success of Kabhi khushi kabhi ghum and Kal ho na ho. Johar died on 26 June 2004 in Mumbai, aged 75. After that his son Karan Johar took the reign of Dharma Productions and still running it in success path delivering numerous family entertainers.

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Updated: August 21, 2013