Dhar Mann

Dhar Mann
Mann in 2018
Born
Dharminder Mann

(1984-05-29) May 29, 1984
United States
Alma materUniversity of California, Davis
Occupations
  • Entrepreneur
  • film producer
PartnerLaura Avila (eng. 2019)
Children3
Parents
  • Surinder Mann (father)
  • Baljit Singh Mann (mother)
Websitedharmann.com
Signature

Dharminder Mann (born May 29, 1984) is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the founder of Dhar Mann Studios, a video production company that creates short scripted videos primarily distributed on platforms such as YouTube. The content is aimed at a young audience and often includes narratives with moral lessons.

In 2010, Mann and stockbroker Derek Peterson founded the weGrow store that sold hydroponics marketed for growing medical marijuana. weGrow was closed two years later amid lawsuits between the business partners. In 2013, Mann was convicted of defrauding the city of Oakland, California, through his real estate company MannEdge Properties.[1][2][3]

Early life

Dhar Mann was born Dharminder Mann on May 29, 1984,[4] to Surinder Mann and Baljit Singh Mann, who emigrated from India to the United States.[5][6][7] The Singh family owns Friendly Cab, a taxi cab operator based in Oakland, California.[7][8] They have owned several local real estate companies since 1980, and more than 130 properties.[6][9]

Mann recalls growing up in a one-bedroom Bay Area apartment which was shared with three other families. As his parents were focused on managing their company, he has said that rather than "give me their time, they gave me money to do things".[5]

At the age of nineteen, Mann started a real estate company and founded other, often failed, companies within the decade[5] including ventures in luxury car rental services and mortgage refinancing.[10]

Mann founded weGrow, a retailer of cannabis-growing hydroponics, with former stock broker Derek Peterson in January 2010. Mann and Peterson rented a supply store in Oakland to sell hydroponics equipment, and aimed to open franchises in eight other states.[5][11] In early 2011, the weGrow store was closed and Peterson filed lawsuits against the company, citing unpaid debts.[5] He accused Mann of running a "hydroponzi scheme" in a Mother Jones interview.[12] A spokesman for Mann said that Peterson fabricated the allegations in retaliation for Mann's decision to downsize their partnership;[12] Mann successfully countersued Peterson for a cash settlement and stocks in Peterson's own company.[5]

In 2012, Mann was charged with thirteen felony counts of fraud for allegedly defrauding a city beautification program while operating his real estate company MannEdge Properties in 2008 and 2009.[1][2] Prosecutors reduced the charges to five felony counts in August 2013, and later that year Mann pled no contest to the five counts.[13] He was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and restitution.[3] Mann told The New York Times in 2021 that the conviction was later expunged.[5]

Dhar Mann Studios

Dhar Mann Studios
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
GenreMorality plays
Subscribers26.5 million
Views19 billion
Last updated: December 18, 2025

In 2018, Mann founded Dhar Mann Studios, a video production company that produces films for social media platforms such as YouTube.[5][14] Based in Burbank, California, the studio operates from a 125,000-square-foot production facility, employs approximately 200 staff members, and collaborates with around 2,000 actors annually.[15] In 2025, the studio operated on a 30-day production schedule and had eight crews filming simultaneously.[16] When he began publishing videos on YouTube in 2018, his output consisted of motivational videos and later shifted focus to morality plays.[17]

In 2021, Mann started a contract with the Creative Artists Agency[14] and launched a mobile app where users can watch videos produced by his studio.[18] Dhar Mann Studios was honored with the Audience Honor for Best YouTube Presence at the Shorty Awards.[19]

In 2024, Mann signed with production company Studio71,[20] and former MTV president Sean Atkins joined the company as president and COO.[21] In 2024, Dhar Mann was nominated for the 2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in the Favorite Male Creator category.[22]

In 2025, Samsung TV Plus announced a deal with the Dhar Mann Studios to develop 13 original episodes to premiere on a dedicated free ad-supported streaming television channel.[23][24] In ary 2026, a multi-year agreement between Fox Entertainment and Dhar Mann Studios was announced for the creation and production of 40 narrative titles by the studio to debut on the Holywater platform. Subsequent international distribution is set to be managed by Fox Entertainment.[25][26][27] Later that year, it entered into a content agreement with The Walt Disney Company, beginning with an order of 20 episodes of original programming.[28][29]

Videos

The studio's videos feature often recurring actors.[30] A New York Times profile of Mann described his YouTube videos as "timely narratives about police-calling Karens and COVID-19 hoarders" told in the fashion of "1980s after-school specials and the educational short films of the '50s". It noted their often "thin and absolutist" moral philosophy and "openly click bait" titles.[5] Vulture called them "feel-good" videos intended to "encourage people to be decent to one another."[31]

In 2023, the studio announced Jay & Mikey, a comedy kids show based on the titular characters from Mann's previous short film series with Shaun Dixon and Kaido Lee Roberts reprising their roles as the titular middle-schoolers.[30] By mid-2023, the studio's YouTube videos had more than a total of 11 billion views.[30]

Actors' protest

In February 2023, multiple actors employed by Dhar Mann Studios said on social media that they have poor working conditions and unsustainable pay.[32] After the protests, Mann issued a statement on his YouTube channel and Instagram account disputing the claims of the protesting actors and accusing them of "spreading false information" about his studio, family, and himself. He explained how the studio operated and disclosed hourly rates for actors.[32][33]

Other activities

In 2022, Mann announced a new podcast, Dhar & Jay Show, hosted with podcaster Jay Shetty with guests including Charli D'Amelio and Winnie Harlow.[34]

In 2026, Mann was named the NFL's "Chief Kindness Officer," as well as its "Creator of the Week" leading up to Super Bowl LX.[35] Later that year Mann launched the podcast What Happens Next, which features interviews with public figures about defining moments in their lives.[36][37]

Personal life

In 2014, Mann was engaged to businesswoman Lilly Ghalichi, a participant on the reality television series Shahs of Sunset; they separated later that year.[38][39] Mann's partner is Laura Avila. Together the couple managed LiveGlam, a cosmetics company which Mann established in 2015.[5]

In late 2020, Mann purchased a mansion in Calabasas, California, previously owned by media personality Khloé Kardashian.[40] Along with his family's real estate activities in Oakland, Mann and his brother Harmit own property across the city.[6]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2022 Shorty Awards Audience Honor - YouTube Presence Won [41]
Streamy Awards Scripted Series Nominated [42]
2024 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Creator Nominated [22]
Telly Awards General - Social Video (People's Telly) Won [43]
2025 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Creator Nominated [44]
Telly Awards Family & Parenting Won [45]
Telly Awards Motivational & Advice Won [45]
Shorty Award Best YouTube Presence Won [46]
2026 Webby Awards Best Narrative, Storytelling or Writing Won [47]
Telly Awards General-Social Video Won [48]

References

  1. 1 2 Bulwa, Demian; Kuruvila, Matthai (May 18, 2012). "Oakland pot entrepreneur charged with fraud". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Indicted Oakland Pot Entrepreneur Leaned on Political Relationships". NBC Bay Area. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Tucker, Jill (February 1, 2014). "'Ganja-preneur' of Oakland sentenced, fined $10,000". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  4. ↑ Mann, Dhar [@dharmann] (May 29, 2021). "Today's not only special because it's my 37th bday- it's also the 3-year anniversary of Dhar Mann Studios. I'm not always the best at describing my feelings, but from what I've been told I am pretty good at telling stories. [Read more on my Instagram]" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Marcus, Ezra (August 19, 2021). "The Moral Philosopher of YouTube". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Orenstein, Natalie (September 14, 2021). "Oakland landlord hit with $3.9 million penalty for hazardous housing conditions". The Oaklandside. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Matier, Phillip; Ross, Andrew (April 28, 2014). "FBI agents' sting tried to lure more S.F., Oakland officials". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ Harkinson, Josh (December 11, 2013). "How a local "Ganjapreneur" bummed Oakland's high, and cheated the city out of thousands". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ BondGraham, Darwin (April 24, 2015). "Oakland Taxicab Family Hit with $37,500 Fine for Defrauding Oakland". East Bay Express. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ Harkinson, Josh. "Weedmart: Marijuana Superstores. IPOs. Reality TV". Mother Jones. No. January/February 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  11. ↑ McLean, Kate (July 18, 2010). "Proposal for Marijuana Factories Prompts a Battle for Control". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Harkinson, Josh (March 1, 2011). "WeGrow's "Joint Venture" Goes Up in Smoke". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  13. ↑ Artz, Matthew (December 10, 2013). "Oakland "ganjapreneur" pleads no contest to fraud charges". Oakland Tribune. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Vlessing, Etan (April 7, 2021). "Filmmaker Dhar Mann Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "YouTube turns 20 years old. How it changed TV as we know it". Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2025. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Dhar Mann Studios Boss Says Digital Content Far Outpaces Linear Television With 45 Million Streams a Day". TheWrap. October 2, 2025. Archived from the original on October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  17. ↑ Kaiser-Schatzlein, Robin (August 4, 2021). "The Internet Demands Uplifting Videos. So He Stages Them". The New York Times Magazine. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  18. ↑ Weiss, Geoff (October 22, 2021). "YouTube Moralist Dhar Mann Launches His Own Video App, Rockets To No. 1 On Apple". Tubefilter News. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Dhar Mann - The Shorty Awards". Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 5, 2024). "YouTuber Dhar Mann Inks Deal With Studio71 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  21. ↑ Schneider, Michael (September 24, 2024). "Former MTV, Discovery Exec Sean Atkins Named President/COO at Dhar Mann Studios, Which Has Also Signed With CAA". Variety. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  22. 1 2 "Kids' Choice Awards Take Over Pauley Pavilion with Slime and Celebrations". CBS News. July 13, 2024. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Samsung TV Plus' plan to get creators in the FAST lane involves original content from Dhar Mann". Tubefilter. July 30, 2025. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Samsung TV Plus Announces Content Partnership With Dhar Mann & Other Popular Creators". Android Headlines. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  25. ↑ Hayes, Dade. "Fox Entertainment Inks Scripted Vertical Video Deal With Popular Creator Dhar Mann". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 28, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  26. ↑ Patton, Tess. "Fox Entertainment Inks 40-Title Deal With Dhar Mann, Expanding Vertical Microdramas Slate". TheWrap. Archived from the original on January 29, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  27. ↑ Spangler, Todd. "Fox Entertainment Inks Deal With Dhar Mann Studios for Slate of 40 Scripted Vertical-Video Shows to Premiere on Holywater App". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  28. ↑ Schneider, Michael (August 21, 2026). "Disney Partners With Dhar Mann Studios, Which Has Been Given a 20-Episode Series Order". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  29. ↑ Tapp, Tom (August 21, 2026). "Disney Inks Creator Content Deal With Dhar Mann Studios". Deadline. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  30. 1 2 3 Gutelle, Sam (June 9, 2023). "Dhar Mann universe expands with new series, upcoming feature film". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  31. ↑ Burney, Lawrence (March 3, 2021). "Watching YouTube Through My Daughter's Eyes". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  32. 1 2 Hayes, Rob (February 14, 2023). "Actors for popular Burbank-based YouTube channel protest for better wages, work conditions". Burbank, California: ABC7. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  33. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (February 14, 2023). "Moral video creator Dhar Mann responds to the protest launched by some of his regular actors". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  34. ↑ Seitz, Loree (October 27, 2022). "Jay Shetty to Launch New Online Series Dhar & Jay Show". TheWrap. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  35. ↑ Weprin, Alex. "Dhar Mann Named NFL's "Chief Kindness Officer" As League Kicks Off Super Bowl Creator Blitz (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  36. ↑ French, Kennedy (May 11, 2026). "Dhar Mann Launches 'What Happens Next' Podcast With Jameela Jamil and Anderson .Paak Among Guests (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Dhar Mann launches celebrity interview podcast What Happens Next". Podcasting Today. May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  38. ↑ Johnson, Zach; Sobol, Beth (April 4, 2014). "Shahs of Sunset's Lilly Ghalichi Engaged to Entrepreneur Dhar Mann—But Will She Keep the Ring?". E! Online. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  39. ↑ Webber, Stephanie (December 19, 2014). "Lilly Ghalichi, Dhar Mann Split: Shahs of Sunset Star Ends Engagement". E! Online. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  40. ↑ McClain, James (November 3, 2020). "Khloe Kardashian Sells $15.5 Million Calabasas Mansion to Dhar Mann". Variety. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Dhar Mann". Shorty Awards. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Post Malone, Hailey Bieber & More Among 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards Nominees". Billboard. October 27, 2022. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Daycare Is Mistreating Their Kids". Shorty Awards. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  44. ↑ Garner, Glenn (June 22, 2025). "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2025 Winners — Full List". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  45. 1 2 "8-Year-Old HAS A FEAR Of ALL FOOD (ARFID) - 2025 Bronze Winner". Telly Awards. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  46. ↑ "17th Annual Shorty Awards: Meet the Creators of the Year". Shortyawards.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  47. ↑ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  48. ↑ "POOR KID Shamed For Old Shoes - 2026 People's Telly Silver Winner". Telly Awards. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
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