Filmmaker Karan Johar remembered his late father Yash Johar on his 20th death anniversary. The director shared an old photo of his late father holding a trophy and wrote a beautiful caption with the post. He recalled the time when he first got to know about his father’s cancer diagnosis. He said that he immediately knew that his worst nightmare had come true.

Karan also mentioned his children Yash and Roohi in the post and wished their late father had known them. “I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. My biggest fear was losing a parent. On August 2nd, 2003 my father told me he had a malignant tumour. My worst nightmare was staring at me and yet as his child it was my duty to stay positive and keep the faith… But the worst thing about instincts is… they never lie… He left us after 10 months… We lost him…” he wrote.

In his previous interviews about his father, Karan has said that he always feels like he is watching over him. He said the same thing in the rest of his caption, which read, “But we have enjoyed every inch of his immense goodwill… I am so proud to be the son of the most solid, soulful and selfless person… He put his relationships above everything else… and has left a legacy of love that my mom and I live by even today… I wish he knew our kids… but I know he is watching over them and us… all the time… love you papa… (sic).”

Late filmmaker Yash Johar died of cancer in June 2004. Karan was still making ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ when he first learnt about his father’s illness. Another photo he shared online on Wednesday shows his father posing with his mother Hiroo Johar. Another black and white photo also shows Karan with a teenager. The rest of the photos he chose show Yash posing with his friends and colleagues from the industry, including stars like Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan.

Priyanka Chopra, Janhvi Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Hrithik Roshan commented on Karan’s post. Many actors shared heart emojis to pay tribute to the late director. Priyanka wrote, “Sabse faarest”, and Zoya Akhtar commented, “Sabse faarest.”

Yash Johar founded Dharma Productions in 1979. The company has produced several successful films, including ‘Dostana’ (1980), ‘Agneepath’ (1990), ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998), ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003). After taking over the company, Karan has directed 10 films, including last year’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles.