Dhar Mann

Dharminder "Dhar" Mann (born May 29, 1984) is an

Dhar Mann
American entrepreneur, film producer and YouTuber. He is best
known for his video production company, Dhar Mann Studios,
that creates short films for social media platforms such as
YouTube. The films target a young audience and typically feature
a turn of events that teaches the antagonist a moral lesson.[1]

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,

Mann in 2018
California, through his real estate company MannEdge
Born Dharminder Mann
Properties.[2][3][4]
May 29, 1984

Early life Nationality American

Occupations Entrepreneur · film
Dharminder Mann was born on May 29, 1984,[5] to Surinder producer
Mann and Baljit Singh Mann, who emigrated from India to the
Partner Laura Avila
United States.[1][6][7] The Singh family owns Friendly Cab, a taxi
Children 2
cab operator based in Oakland, California.[7][8] They have owned
several local real estate companies since 1980, and more than 130 Website dharmann.com (htt
properties.[6][9] p://dharmann.com)

Mann recalls growing up in a one-bedroom Bay Area apartment that 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".[1]

Early career and legal issues

At the age of nineteen, Mann started a real estate company, and founded other, often failed,
companies within the decade,[1] 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,
California, to sell hydroponics equipment, and aimed to open franchises in eight other states.[1][11]

In early 2011, the weGrow store was closed, and Peterson filed lawsuits against the company, citing
unpaid debts,[1] and accusing Mann of running a "hydroponzi scheme" in a Mother Jones
interview.[12] A spokesman for Mann subsequently accused Peterson of fabricating the allegations in
retaliation for Mann's decision to downsize their partnership,[12] and Mann successfully countersued
Peterson for a cash settlement and stocks in Peterson's own company.[1]

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.[2][3] 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.[4] Mann told The New York Times in 2021 that the conviction
was later expunged.[1]

Dhar Mann Studios

In 2018, Mann founded Dhar Mann Studios, a video production
Dhar Mann
company that produces films for social media platforms such as
YouTube.[1][15] When Mann began publishing videos on YouTube YouTube information

in 2018, his output comprised motivational videos, and later Channel Dhar Mann (https://w
shifted focus to morality plays.[16] In 2021, Mann started a ww.youtube.com/@D
contract with the Creative Artists Agency[15] and launched a harMann)
mobile app where users can watch videos produced by his Location Los Angeles,
studio.[17] California, U. S.
Years active 2018–present
Videos Genre Morality plays

The studio's videos feature often recurring actors.[18] A New York Subscribers 20.9 million[14]
Times profile of Mann described his YouTube videos as "timely Total views 13.7 billion[14]
narratives about police-calling Karens and Covid-19 hoarders" Creator Awards [show]
told in the fashion of "1980s after-school specials and the 100,000 subscribers
educational short films of the '50s", and noted their often "thin
and absolutist" moral philosophy and "openly click bait" titles.[1] 1,000,000 subscribers 2020
Vulture called them "feel-good" videos intended to "encourage 10,000,000 subscribers 2021
people to be decent to one another."[19]
Last updated: March 10, 2024
In 2023, the studio announced Jay & Mikey, comedy kids show
based on characters appearing previous short film series with Shaun Dixon and Kaido Lee Roberts
portraying middle-schoolers Jay and Mikey, respectively.[18]

By mid-2023, the studio's YouTube videos had more than a total of 11 billion views.[18]

Workplace scandal and actors' protest

In February 2023, multiple actors employed by Dhar Mann Studios stated on social media that they
had poor working conditions and unsustainable pay.[20] Many of the actors took to protesting outside
of one of Mann's studio lots, with the protests happening abruptly. Actor Charles Laughlin revealed
that many actors requested a meeting with Mann about working conditions, but Mann declined to
meet with them. Laughlin also accused Mann of firing actress Jessica Ruth Bell after the actors
requested the meeting. Laughlin and actor Colin Borden stated that actors who spoke out against the
working conditions were immediately let go. Borden stated that many of the actors employed by Mann
could not afford rent.[21][22][23] 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.[20][24]

Other activities
In 2022, Mann announced a new podcast, Dhar & Jay Show, hosted with podcaster Jay Shetty that
would feature Charli D'Amelio and Winnie Harlow as guests, among others.[25]

Personal life
In 2014, Mann was in a relationship with businesswoman Lilly Ghalichi, known for participating on
the reality television series Shahs of Sunset.[26][27] Mann met his fiancée Laura Avila in 2015.
Together, the couple manage LiveGlam, a cosmetics company that Mann founded in 2015.[1] The
couple had their first child in 2020.[28]

In late 2020, Mann purchased a mansion in Calabasas, California, previously owned by media
personality Khloé Kardashian.[28] Along with his family's real estate activities in Oakland, Mann and
his brother Harmit also own property across the city.[6]

References
1. Marcus, Ezra (August 19, 2021). "The Moral Philosopher of YouTube" (https://www.nytimes.com/2
021/08/19/style/dhar-mann-youtube.html). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/
web/20221022211437/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/style/dhar-mann-youtube.html) from
the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
2. Bulwa, Demian; Kuruvila, Matthai (May 18, 2012). "Oakland pot entrepreneur charged with fraud"
(https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Oakland-pot-entrepreneur-charged-with-fraud-3567342.ph
p). SFGate. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210903173552/https://www.sfgate.com/crim
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September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
3. "Indicted Oakland Pot Entrepreneur Leaned on Political Relationships" (https://www.nbcbayarea.c
om/news/local/indicted-oakland-pot-entrepreneur-leaned-on-political-relationships/1927584/).
NBC Bay Area. September 6, 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210716170708/http
s://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/indicted-oakland-pot-entrepreneur-leaned-on-political-relatio
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4. Tucker, Jill (February 1, 2014). " 'Ganja-preneur' of Oakland sentenced, fined $10,000" (https://ww
w.sfgate.com/crime/article/Ganja-preneur-of-Oakland-sentenced-fined-5195154.php). SFGate.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210903173552/https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Ganj
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Retrieved September 3, 2021.
 5. 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]" (https://twitter.com/dharmann/status/1398720779538345993) (Tweet). Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20210529192005/https://twitter.com/dharmann/status/139872077953834
5993) from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
6. Orenstein, Natalie (September 14, 2021). "Oakland landlord hit with $3.9 million penalty for
hazardous housing conditions" (https://oaklandside.org/2021/09/13/oakland-landlord-hit-with-3-9-
million-penalty-for-hazardous-housing-conditions/). The Oaklandside. Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20220205071003/https://oaklandside.org/2021/09/13/oakland-landlord-hit-with-3-9-milli
on-penalty-for-hazardous-housing-conditions/) from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved
February 5, 2022.
7. Matier, Phillip; Ross, Andrew (April 28, 2014). "FBI agents' sting tried to lure more S.F., Oakland
officials" (https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/FBI-agents-sting-tried-to-lure-more-S
-F-5433978.php). SFGate. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210903173554/https://www.sf
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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" (https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2013/12/marijuana
-entrepreneur-dhar-mann-fraud-oakland/). Mother Jones. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2
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9. BondGraham, Darwin (April 24, 2015). "Oakland Taxicab Family Hit with $37,500 Fine for
Defrauding Oakland" (https://eastbayexpress.com/oakland-taxicab-family-hit-with-37500-fine-for-d
efrauding-oakland-2-1/). East Bay Express. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202109031735
53/https://eastbayexpress.com/oakland-taxicab-family-hit-with-37500-fine-for-defrauding-oakland-
2-1/) from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
10. Harkinson, Josh. "Weedmart: Marijuana Superstores. IPOs. Reality TV" (https://www.motherjones.
com/politics/2010/12/wegrow-dhar-mann-derek-peterson/). Mother Jones. No. January/February
2011. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210918022333/https://www.motherjones.com/politi
cs/2010/12/wegrow-dhar-mann-derek-peterson/) 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" (htt
ps://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/us/18bcmarijuana.html). The New York Times. Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20210903173552/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/us/18bcmarijuan
a.html) from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
12. Harkinson, Josh (March 1, 2011). "WeGrow's "Joint Venture" Goes Up in Smoke" (https://www.mot
herjones.com/crime-justice/2011/03/wegrow-joint-venture-goes-smoke/). Mother Jones. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20210903184538/https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2011/0
3/wegrow-joint-venture-goes-smoke/) 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"
(https://web.archive.org/web/20131215004843/http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_24697161/
oakland-ganjapreneur-pleads-no-contest-fraud-charges). Oakland Tribune. Archived from the
original (http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_24697161/oakland-ganjapreneur-pleads-no-conte
st-fraud-charges) on December 15, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
14. "About Dhar Mann" (https://www.youtube.com/@DharMann/about). YouTube.
15. Vlessing, Etan (April 7, 2021). "Filmmaker Dhar Mann Signs With CAA (Exclusive)" (https://www.h
ollywoodreporter.com/news/filmmaker-dhar-mann-signs-with-caa-exclusive). The Hollywood
Reporter. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210416093309/https://www.hollywoodreporter.
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Retrieved September 3, 2021.
16. Kaiser-Schatzlein, Robin (August 4, 2021). "The Internet Demands Uplifting Videos. So He Stages
Them" (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/magazine/wholesome-youtube-dhar-mann.html).
The New York Times Magazine. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210906092541/https://w
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September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
17. Weiss, Geoff (October 22, 2021). "YouTube Moralist Dhar Mann Launches His Own Video App,
Rockets To No. 1 On Apple" (https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/22/dhar-mann-video-app-no-1/).
Tubefilter News. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20211031115935/https://www.tubefilter.co
m/2021/10/22/dhar-mann-video-app-no-1/) from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved
November 1, 2021.
18. Gutelle, Sam (June 9, 2023). "Dhar Mann universe expands with new series, upcoming feature
film" (https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/06/09/dhar-mann-mikey-and-jay-moral-series-feature-film/).
Tubefilter. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
19. Burney, Lawrence (March 3, 2021). "Watching YouTube Through My Daughter's Eyes" (https://ww
w.vulture.com/article/watching-anna-oop-youtube-drama-daughter.html). Vulture. Archived (https://
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20. Hayes, Rob (February 14, 2023). "Actors for popular Burbank-based YouTube channel protest for
better wages, work conditions" (https://abc7.com/dhar-mann-studios-youtube-channel-burbank-act
or-protest/12816197/). Burbank, California: ABC7. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2023033
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21. Allen, Joseph (February 9, 2023). "Actors in Influencer Dhar Mann's Videos Have Gone on Strike
Over Low Wages" (https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-dhar-mann-actors). Distractify.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230210012653/https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happe
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22. "Beskyldninger mot YouTube-gigant" (https://www.vg.no/i/mQ3Q9l). www.vg.no (in Norwegian
Bokmål). February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
23. "YouTube's Dhar Mann Studios Accused Of Paying Actors Unfair Wages" (https://www.cgmagonlin
e.com/news/dhar-mann-paying-actors-poorly/). www.cgmagonline.com. February 10, 2023.
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24. Gutelle, Sam (February 14, 2023). "Moral video creator Dhar Mann responds to the protest
launched by some of his regular actors" (https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/02/14/protest-dhar-mann
-actors-speak-out-moral-videos-response/). Tubefilter. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2023
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25. Seitz, Loree (October 27, 2022). "Jay Shetty to Launch New Online Series Dhar & Jay Show" (http
s://www.thewrap.com/jay-shetty-new-series-dhar-and-jay-show-charli-damelio/). TheWrap.
Retrieved November 4, 2023.
26. Johnson, Zach; Sobol, Beth (April 4, 2014). "Shahs of Sunset 's Lilly Ghalichi Engaged to
Entrepreneur Dhar Mann—But Will She Keep the Ring?" (https://www.eonline.com/news/528442/s
hahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalichi-engaged-to-entrepreneur-dhar-mann-but-will-she-keep-the-ring). E!
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27. Webber, Stephanie (December 19, 2014). "Lilly Ghalichi, Dhar Mann Split: Shahs of Sunset Star
Ends Engagement" (https://www.eonline.com/news/607973/shahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalichi-calls-of
f-engagement-i-know-that-every-ending-is-a-new-beginning). E! Online. Archived (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20210903174122/https://www.eonline.com/news/607973/shahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalic
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September 3, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
28. McClain, James (November 3, 2020). "Khloe Kardashian Sells $15.5 Million Calabasas Mansion
to Dhar Mann" (https://web.archive.org/web/20201103173001/https://variety.com/2020/dirt/entertai
ners/khloe-kardashian-sells-15-5-million-calabasas-mansion-to-dhar-mann-1234822374/). Variety.
Archived from the original (https://variety.com/2020/dirt/entertainers/khloe-kardashian-sells-15-5-m
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August 23, 2021.

External links
Official website (https://www.dharmann.com/)
Dhar Mann (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4990531/) at IMDb

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dhar_Mann&oldid=1213029035"