This man used to sell sweets at shop, was given a big break by Madhubala, became Bollywood’s famous…., he was…

Born on September 6, 1929, in pre-partition Lahore, Yash Johar grew up managing the family sweet shop post-Partition in Delhi. “You just wanted your stomachs to be full,” he recalled of his modest upbringing. With nine siblings depending on whoever mattered most, his mother recognised his restlessness and supported his move to Mumbai to pursue his passion.

Snapping a star into stardom

In 1950, young Yash began working as a photographer for a news agency. His moment came on the set of Mughal-e-Azam, when Madhubala, charmed by his fluent English and confidence, permitted him to photograph her—and even gave him a personal tour of the set. This encounter opened the doors to the filmmaking world.

Rising through the studio ranks

Yash honed his craft at Sunil Dutt’s Ajanta Arts in the early 1950s, assisting on films like Mujhe Jeene Do and Yeh Raste Hain Pyaar Ke. He then moved to Navketan Films, producing classics like Guide (1965), Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari, and Hare Rama Hare Krishna. His success with Guide cemented his place in the industry.

Dharma is born

In 1976, Johar fulfilled his largest cinematic ambition: founding Dharma Productions. Named to reflect his spiritual grounding, Dharma released its first hit, Dostana (1980), starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, and Zeenat Aman. Although subsequent releases like Duniya, Agnipath, and Gumrah were moderate performers, Johar’s lavish sets and emotive storytelling carved a unique niche.

Legacy forged with his son

Yash’s true masterpiece was the dynasty he built with his son, Karan Johar. Together, they crafted blockbusters—Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). The latter, Yash’s final film, remains a cultural touchstone celebrated for its depth, values, and emotional resonance.

A personal life as dramatic as his films

In 1971, Yash married Heera Johar, sister of BR and Yash Chopra, legendary filmmakers. A story often told is how he proposed to her in front of icons like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor. Yash passed away on June 26, 2004, at 74, after battling cancer and a chest infection. Under Karan’s leadership, Dharma Productions ascended to its place as one of Bollywood’s major powerhouses.

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