Karan Johar opens up on struggling financially post Amitabh Bachchan starrer Agneepath failed at the box office; says, “We could have been homeless”

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is one of the most prestigious film production houses in India today, synonymous with grandeur and opulence. Every aspiring actor dreams of being part of a Dharma film. However, the journey to success was not as smooth when Karan’s father, Yash Johar, first established the company. In its early years, Dharma Productions suffered major setbacks with the failure of several films, including Agneepath, Duniya, and Muqaddar Ka Faisla.

Karan Johar on struggling financially

In a recent conversation with Komal Nahta, Karan Johar recalled how his father also ran a handicraft export business to support the family financially during the company’s tough times. “The business wasn’t roaring; it was meowing at best. However, the losses from our films were offset because of it. There were times when we could have been homeless, as several of our movies failed one after another,” Karan revealed.

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One of the most significant blows to Yash Johar was the commercial failure of Agneepath, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Karan shared, “These were big films with major directors and actors. But when Agneepath flopped, my father was truly heartbroken. He believed it would be the film that elevated him to the level he aspired to.”

Amitabh Bachchan’s Efforts to Support Dharma Productions

Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani recently reflected on this challenging period in Dharma Productions’ history and how Amitabh Bachchan extended a helping hand to Yash Johar. Speaking to Lehren Retro, Nikkhil recalled, “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.’ Amit ji left his shoot and rushed to see her in the hospital.”

He continued, “They were there at the hospital. Amit ji came out, met Yash uncle, and told him, ‘There is a boy 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.”

Despite Bachchan’s support and the film’s later cult status, Agneepath did not perform well at the box office upon release. Dharma Productions struggled until Karan Johar made his directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji, the film was a massive success and marked the beginning of a new era for Dharma Productions.

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