Nikkhil Advani recalls how Amitabh Bachchan saved Karan Johar’s father Yash Johar’s Dharma production – Deets inside

Karan Johar’s Dharma production is one of the leading and known companies in film industry. The production house is known to roll out some popular romantic movies. However, just like every other company, Dharma too went to a dark path in late 90s. In a recent interview, director Nikkhil Advani, shared that there was a time when Yash Johar’s house was mortgaged and Karan Johar mother Hiroo had a heart attack and that was the time when Amitabh Bachchan rescued them.

Nikkhil Advani on Karan Johar house being mortgaged

Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani was in a conversation with Lehren Retro, talking about his association with Karan Johar’s Dharma Production. He reminisced the time when the leading production house was struggling to survive. The director 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.”

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Recalling how Amitabh Bachchan agreed to do Agneepath despite difficulties Nikkhil says, “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. That’s how the film got made. He simply said, ‘I know what you going through, I know what the condition is right now, I am giving you the dates, let’s start.’”

Speaking about his association with Dharma Productions, the filmmaker said, “I don’t see my time at Dharma as three films, I see it as I was there at Dharma when the foundation was being made. Both Yash uncle and Karan were trying to set up the production house. Those three films (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho) are the foundation of Karan’s Dharma Productions.”

Nikkhil last helmed Vedaa and series Freedom At Midnight.

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