Dharma Productions Completes 46 Years: From Dostana to Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Beyond, A Legacy of Stories, Songs and Stardom

For 46 years, Dharma Productions has been more than just a Bollywood production house—it has been part of the emotional soundtrack of generations of moviegoers. From unforgettable romances and larger-than-life family dramas to friendships, heartbreak, celebrations and chart-topping songs, Dharma films have repeatedly found their way into popular culture. Marking the milestone, the production house shared a nostalgic video montage celebrating its journey and thanked audiences who have stayed with it through decades of changing cinema.

Dharma Productions shared a 108-second video featuring memorable moments from its films, bringing together some of the biggest stars and most recognisable scenes associated with the banner. From Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to Hrithik Roshan and several other celebrated faces, the montage moves through emotional scenes, romantic moments, high-energy dance sequences and larger-than-life celebrations. The video ultimately ends with the line, “BECAUSE THERE’S ALWAYS A DHARMA FILM for all.” Alongside the video, Dharma wrote, “46 years of stories. 46 years of endless memories. 46 years of magnanimous tunes & dance & hooks. 46 years of you & your Dharma films. Thank you for watching, looping & relishing! Thank you for being a part of our Dharma family.”

The anniversary also serves as a reminder of how deeply Dharma Productions has been woven into the evolution of mainstream Hindi cinema. Founded by filmmaker Yash Johar in 1976 and subsequently led by Karan Johar, the banner developed a distinctive identity built around stories that could combine emotion, music, glamour and star power. Films associated with Dharma have often turned songs and characters into cultural touchstones, while its collaborations with some of Bollywood’s biggest stars have helped define different eras of Hindi cinema.

The production house’s nostalgia-filled video is particularly effective because it does not simply celebrate films as individual titles—it celebrates the experience surrounding them. The songs that audiences played on repeat, the dance steps that became instantly recognisable, the friendships and family relationships that audiences connected with, and the romances that became part of Bollywood folklore all find a place in the montage. It is essentially a visual thank-you note to viewers who have made these films part of their own memories.

But while Dharma is looking back at 46 years, the banner is also pushing into new territory. Its upcoming slate reflects an attempt to balance the larger-than-life entertainment associated with its legacy with new genres and ambitious projects. Among the projects in development is Gadadhari Bheem, a mythological superhero spectacle inspired by the Mahabharata character Bheem, with filmmaker Abhishek Varman attached to the project. The banner is also expanding its role beyond production, with Dharma Distribution handling the North India theatrical distribution of Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi.

The upcoming slate also includes the romantic film Udta Teer, an action-drama starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. Together, these projects point towards a Dharma that is continuing to experiment with scale, genres and collaborations while retaining the emotional storytelling and entertainment value that have long been associated with the banner. Forty-six years after the journey began, Dharma Productions is still betting on the same essential idea—that there is a story, song, character or moment waiting to become a memory for someone. And judging by its anniversary message, the Dharma family intends to keep creating those memories for years to come.