Karan Johar remembered his late father, filmmaker and producer Yash Johar, on his birth anniversary with an emotional note. Alongside a series of rare family photographs, Karan spoke about the warmth and affection his father brought into his life. He also revisited some of their most personal moments, including the difficult days Yash Johar spent battling cancer and the emotional conversation they shared after one of his chemotherapy sessions.
Karan Johar Remembers Late Father Yash Johar
Among the memories Karan shared was an amusing story from the time Kuch Kuch Hota Hai had released. Celebrating the success of the film, Karan decided to buy himself his first designer jacket from Burberry. He recalled proudly wearing the jacket home, only for his father to question his choice.
“I wore it and in my head I was looking rather smashing (the origin of my delusion). My father looked at me perplexed and asked, “Beta…yeh kya hai…?” With pride, as if I had conquered Bond Street itself – I said “Papa yeh Burberry hai!” He took a deep Punjabi breath and said “Beta yeh Burberry nahi…Bahut buri hai…” I was shattered and then almost immediately burstout laughing! That was my father – rooted, basic and very very funny…”, wrote Karan Johar.
‘He Was My Biggest Fan’, Says Karan Johar
Karan remembered his father as someone who never stopped encouraging him. Even when he was struggling with his weight, his dad would reassure him that it was only ‘puppy fat’ and would eventually go away.
Karan recalled that his father would often tell him that he was handsome enough to become a hero and even encouraged him to learn horse riding.
‘My Father Was My Hero’
KJo remembered Yash Johar as a man defined by kindness, humility and selflessness, describing him as his hero. He then recalled one of the most emotional conversations they shared during Yash’s final days. After a chemotherapy session, his father expressed his fear that he might not have much time left and asked Karan to make him a promise.
The most important thing he wanted from Karan was that he remain kind, regardless of how successful he became. He also asked Karan to look after his mother in the same way he had always done.
“In his last days he told me post his chemo session, “I don’t want to leave mom and you but I feel like I am going to…Just promise me you will always be kind…success means nothing if you’re not kind. And take care of mom, like i have,”” wrote Karan.
The Promise Karan Johar Made To His Father
Karan recalled that when his father was eventually on a ventilator, he whispered a promise in his ear.
“When he was on the ventilator and I knew there wasn’t a ray of hope – I knew something was stopping him from travelling to the other side, I whispered in his ear, “Papa I will take care of mom like a parent and a child…I promise,”” recalled KJo.
“His levels began to drop and very soon…he went…He was waiting to hear just that…He left a void in my life 22 years ago that I refuse to fill…and I never will…When you lose a parent, you gain a god. He is my god. I pray to him everyday. What a blessing that is for me…. Miss you papa…everyday,” he concluded.
Yash Johar, the founder of Dharma Productions, died in Mumbai on June 26, 2004, aged 74, due to a chest infection, while also battling cancer. Having established the production house in 1976, he played an influential role in Hindi cinema and backed several notable films during his career, such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham among others.
