Dharma Productions
Mumbai-based company Dharma Productions Pvt. Ltd. is an Indian film production and distribution company that produces and distributes Hindi films. Company established in 1979 by Yash Johar. In 2004, after his death, it was taken over by his son, Karan Johar.
The highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year 1980, called Dostana, was the company’s first production starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman.
The film Agneepath was produced in 1990. But at that time it was not a commercially successful film. But later it would become a cult film that won a National Film Award for its lead actor, Amitabh Bachchan. Before that, Duniya (1984) and Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987), were non-performing films. The company’s next two films Gumrah (1993) and Duplicate (1993), which were both directed by Mahesh Bhatt, met with moderate success at the box office.
The romantic comedy-drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan, proved to be a phenomenal success, and this opened a whole new chapter in the history of the company. It was the first film of Karan Johar as a director. Including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the Filmfare Award for Best Film, the film won several awards. Family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and the romantic comedy-drama Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) were major commercial successes.
Karan Johar's musical romantic drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) explores themes of marital infidelity, adultery, and dysfunctional relationships. At that time, this film became the most commercially successful at the domestic box office and became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time overseas at the time of its release. Dostana (2008), Wake Up Sid (2009), Kurbaan (2009) and Raazi (2018) are also commercially successful.
Kesari (2019), a period drama based on the Battle of Saragarhi, earned Rs. 200 crores worldwide in the box office. The biopic Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl won several accolades, including the National Film Award—Special Jury Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Film.
Dharma 2.0, a new sector of the company, was launched in July 2016, which focuses on producing advertising commercials. In November 2018, another subsidiary of the studio was created called Dramatic Entertainment, which produces film and television content for online distribution platforms. In November 2018, Dharma Productions launched a new subsidiary called Dharmatic Entertainment.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, acquired a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions for approximately 1000 crore in 2024
