Dharma Productions is an Indian film production and distribution company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Established in 1976 by film producer Yash Johar, the company has been one of the prominent banners associated with mainstream Hindi cinema. Following Yash Johar's death in 2004, his son, filmmaker Karan Johar, took over the management of the studio.
| Name | Dharma Productions |
|---|---|
| Type | Film production company |
| Industry | Hindi cinema (Bollywood) |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Yash Johar |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Key person | Karan Johar (Chairman and Managing Director) |
| Country | India |
Yash Johar began his career in film production working with established producers in Bombay before founding his own banner. Dharma Productions was set up in 1976 with the aim of producing mainstream Hindi-language feature films. During its early decades, the company released a handful of films across various genres, with Yash Johar serving as its principal producer.
The studio's profile rose significantly in the late 1990s when Karan Johar made his directorial debut under the banner. Since then, Dharma has been closely associated with family-centred dramas, romantic films, and large-scale entertainers featuring leading stars of Hindi cinema.
The company's principal activities are the development, financing, production and distribution of Hindi-language feature films. Over time it has also been involved in talent management, music, and content for over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Dharma has co-produced films with several other Indian production houses and has distributed selected international and regional titles in India.
Dharma Productions is regarded as one of the long-running family-owned production banners in Hindi cinema, with a continuous presence spanning nearly five decades. Its films have contributed to popular trends in mainstream Bollywood, particularly in the romance and family-drama segments, and the company has played a role in launching and promoting actors, directors and technicians within the Hindi film industry.