From 'My Name is Khan' to 'Raazi' & 'Dhadak 2'; When Dharma Got Gutsier & Impactful

Dharma Productions used to be your go-to for chiffon saris, champagne problems, and emotionally unavailable men on staircases. But somewhere between Kabhi Khushi and Gunjan Saxena, something shifted. Maybe the realisation that not every film needs a Diwali song. Or maybe Karan Johar just ran out of designer dupattas.

Either way, Dharma’s storytelling track record has taken a sharp left turn into serious, sometimes searing narratives that land punches instead of just pyaar. Here's a roundup of their most striking “we’re not just about Switzerland” titles with Dhadak 2 ready to join the pack.

My Name is Khan (2010): When KJo Said “No Joharisms Today”

This one was the turning point. My Name is Khan was Karan Johar going full "I have something to say" mode. A lead with Asperger’s syndrome in the form of India's biggest superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, Islamophobia unpacked on a global scale, and a plot that travelled more than most travel bloggers. No choreographed heartbreak. Just one man, one message, and zero background dancers in mustard fields.

Raazi (2018): Spy Thriller But Make It Silent and Savage

Alia Bhatt’s Sehmat doesn’t throw punches she just calmly changes the course of geopolitics. Raazi whispered its way into being one of Dharma’s smartest films. No jingoism, no chest-thumping, just quiet dread and well-placed teacups. Proof that patriotism doesn’t always need a war cry. Sometimes it just needs a steady hand and an undecipherable expression.

Gunjan Saxena (2020): Flying High Sans Flags and Fanfare

No flashy fighter jet montages. No slow motion “Bharat Mata” moments. Just Janhvi Kapoor as Gunjan stumbling, sweating, and slicing through patriarchal airspace with a very patient Pankaj Tripathi as her co-pilot dad. Both exhibiting a rare and heart-warming on-screen father-daughter relationship. Not a perfect film but its heart was in the right cockpit. Bonus points for not turning her story into a nationalistic blockbuster-by-numbers.

Kesari (2019): Turbans Testosterone and Surprisingly Thoughtful Screentime

Initially sold as Akshay Kumar’s beardy war epic Kesari turned out to be far more restrained than its trailer promised. Yes there were sword fights and chest hair but there were also silences the kind that let sacrifice land without background music trying to out-emote the actors. The saffron may have been bright but the storytelling was surprisingly sober.

Kesari Chapter 2 (2025): This Time It’s Personal and Political

Released in April 2025 Kesari 2 had no business being as gritty as it was. Instead of going louder it went deeper. Less about battles and more about aftermaths. The politics of sacrifice. The cost of legacy. The trauma under turbans. Akshay Kumar didn’t just fight he processed. Dharma are you okay Who hurt you? And to add to this were towering performances by the veteran that is R. Madhavan and a bright spark in the form of Ananya Panday. Akshay Kumar needed this hit and it delivered.

Dhadak 2 (2025): From Pretty Tears to Possible Scars

Forget Dhadak. Wipe it clean from your memory. Not exactly wipe it per se but you understand what I mean. One would easily remember that it was the glossy cover version of Sairat with the edges sanded down. Dhadak 2 is Dharma’s statement on being gritty yet subdued. A new story new leads and hopefully actual teeth. Directed by Shazia Iqbal and starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri emotional wrecking balls this one’s allegedly got class caste and consequences. No gajras. No Jaipur.

Dharma used to be the house of heartbreaks with choreography. But now their films are starting to feel emotionally literate. Introspective even. This new phase let’s call it “Silk Curtain to Slow Burn” is giving us stories that linger not just songs that loop on Spotify.

Sure they’ll always have their NRI-core canon Rocky Aur Rani says hi but when they get serious it’s not just a phase. It’s calculated compelling and surprisingly cutting. Dhadak 2 might be the final stamp in their “We Can Do Substance Too” passport.

Who knew Dharma could grow up and still keep the drama. Which has been your favorite film in the lot so far? Leave in your comments below.