Filmmaker Karan Johar shared his love and gratitude for Dharma Productions CEO Apoorva Mehta for standing by him during his most challenging time in a heartfelt note written on the last day of 2023.

Dubbing Apoorva and his wife Bijal as his emotional and professional pillars, Karan took to Instagram to recount how he had turned to them for support during a difficult period following the passing of his father, Yash Johar, in 2004.

Karan, who celebrated his 25th anniversary as a director this year with the release of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, to recall with gratitude how Apoorva, who was settled in the UK with his wife Bijal at the time, unhesitatingly responded with the promise, “I will be there.”

“Without even a pause, he said ‘I will be there,’ and just like that overnight, Bijal and him changed their settled life to walk into an unknown territory,” Karan mentioned, highlighting how that marked the beginning of their journey together in building Dharma Productions.

“Thank you Aps! My father would have been so proud of us…just knowing that we could keep it together and do our best to build his dream,” the filmmaker concluded his long note by extending his new year wishes to the entire Dharma Productions family.

Touched by Karan’s heartfelt message, Apoorva responded with humility and appreciation. “There are few people in the world who matter so much, where you don’t think about right or wrong @karanjohar.... I am honoured and humbled to be part of your incredible journey, and I know Yash uncle must be very proud,” he wrote in a comment underneath the director’s note.