Dharma Productions is one of the top film studios in the Hindi film industry but did you know there was a time when it struggled to stay afloat? In a recent interview, the filmmaker Nikkhil Advani who had a long tied-up with the production shared an incident about how Amitabh Bachchan extended a huge helping hand to Yash Johar and saved his Dharma Productions during a financial crisis which led to the making of Agneepath.
Before Karan Johar stepped in as a filmmaker in the late 1990s, his father Yash Johar faced severe financial difficulties and according to Nikkhil, there was a period when Karan Johar mortgage his house to sustain Dharma Productions. Also, his mother Hiroo Johar had suffered a heart attack during this stressful time and they even had to sell camera and lightening equipment to raise funds.
How Amitabh Bachchan Supported Yash Johar & Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions When It Struggled
In an exclusive interview with Lehren Retro, Nikkhil said, “I remember Karan (Johar) telling me that there was a time when he sold his lights and camera. He had mortgaged his house. Hiroo aunty had a heart attack. I think Amit ji met Yash uncle and asked him, ‘How is Hiroo?’. They were both very close as they were school friends. Yash uncle told him, ‘She is in Breach Candy hospital’. Amitji left his shoot and rushed to see her in the hospital.”
How Agneepath Came to Life
Adding on, Amitabh Bachchan being the most humblest man that he is, he spoke with Yash Johar during his hospital visit and suggested a project that would later become Agneepath. The Kal Ho Naa Ho director revealed, “They were there at the hospital. Amit ji came out, met Yash uncle and told him, ‘There is a boy, who I am making a film with. Romesh is producing it, but you call him up and tell him that Amit has given dates for your film. There is a subject on Scarface, we should do it together.’ That’s how Agneepath came about.”
Bachchan understood the financial struggle and immediately committed his dates to ensure the film was made. Although Agneepath did not perform well at the box office, over the years it has gained cult status. To catch the detailed insights watch the full exclusive interview with Nikkhil Advani below:
The legacy of Agneepath continued when Karan Johar produced its remake in 2012, starring Hrithik Roshan. This remake served as a tribute to his father’s hard work and resilience. Looking back, the Karan Johar mortgage phase proved to be a turning point in Dharma’s journey, with Amitabh Bachchan playing a crucial role in helping them tide over the crisis.
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