Yash Raj Films (YRF) was founded in 1970 by veteran Indian film director Yash Raj Chopra. The company started as a production and distribution house, but after growing frustrated at the lack of professional-standard studio shooting during the 70s, 80s and 90s, it took matters into its own hands in 2005.
The building of YRF Studios was a game-changer, quickly propelling the company to international prominence. The first film shot at the new facilities, Fanaa, was a commercial and critical hit, scooping numerous awards and paving the way for many more productions.
Spanning over 20 acres and six floors, YRF Studios is still used by the company to film its own productions and those of other companies for film and TV shoots, such as 10 Ka Dum and Kaun Banega Crorepati for Sony.
YRF’s star rose so high that it caught the attention of The Walt Disney Company. After working in partnership on a three-film co-production agreement, Disney submitted an offer for a 49% acquisition of Yash Raj Films in 2009, valuing the company at USD 1.3bn. To the shock of many in the industry, the offer was declined.
The company did not look back, releasing several films throughout the 2010s that broke multiple Indian box office records. One release, Dhoom 3, went on to become the twelfth highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
With 50 years of production history, YRF is the region’s most prominent and best-respected film company. On top of its world-class services and facilities covering everything from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, marketing, and talent management, its catalogue of films is one of the best in the entertainment business.
