Film producer extraordinaire Yash Johar, who churned out many blockbusters, passed away at 2150 IST in Mumbai on Saturday night after prolonged illness, family sources said.
Johar, 75, is survived by wife and film director son Karan Johar. The funeral would be held at 11am on Sunday at Shivaji Park, family sources said.
Johar, who had made films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hain and Kabhie Kushi Kabhie Gham, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in the suburb of Bandra on June 19 for acute chest congestion. He was on life support system for the last few days.
He had undergone a minor surgery at Bombay Hospital and was to leave for London for treatment before being admitted to Lilavati Hospital.
Johar began his career in the film industry in 1952 in Sunil Dutt's production house Ajanta Arts. He was associated with films like Mujhe Jeene Do and Yeh Raaste Hai Pyaar Ke.
He helped filmmaker Dev Anand handle the production of his film Guide, which did roaring business at the box office. He continued with Dev Anand's Navketan Films and handled production of films like Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari and Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
He went on to set up his own production house. His films are known for their exotic locales and lavish sets as well as rich family values. He has worked with various leading names, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi, Sanjay Dutt and his favourite star Shahrukh Khan.
Some of the films he produced under the banner of Dharma Productions were Dostana, Duniya Meri Jeb Main, Muqaddar Ka Faisla, Agneepath, Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, Kabhie Kushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho.
He was a senior member of the Film Producers Guild of India. A pall of gloom descended on Bollywood after the news of his death spread and several members of the film fraternity rushed to his house to pay their respects.
Speaking about him, noted producer Mukesh Bhatt said, "I am just numb. He was very dear to the family. I have lost an elder brother. I don't think this vacuum will be ever be filled. I don't know how I will cope up with this loss.
"I remember how he used to go and bring medicines when my mother had fallen sick and was hospitalised. He saw that she could survive longer and did all his best to help us. He also stood by our family when she passed away."
Music director Bappi Lahiri, said, "I worked with him on Muqadar Ka Faisla. He used to put magic in his films. His biggest quality was that he was a very good human being, very down to earth. He was also a good social worker. He always used to contribute for the welfare of technicians in the film industry. He was a very simple natured man. I am very hurt and it is a big loss to the film industry."
