He became a successful producer and director in 1971 so as to improve his career opportunities as a leading man with his first directorial film "Apradh", which was the first Indian movie showing auto racing in Germany; Mumtaaz was his co-star. He produced, directed and starred in the 1975 film "Dharmatma", which was the first Indian film to be shot in Afghanistan and was also his first blockbuster hit as producer, director and star and marked the appearance of actress Hema Malini in a glamorous avatar. This movie was inspired by the Hollywood film "The Godfather".