Business mogul Adar Poonawalla has purchased a 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and its digital content arm, Dharmatic Entertainment, collectively known as Dharma.
The deal, valued at 1,000 crore Indian Rupees, positions Poonawalla’s Serene Entertainment as a significant stakeholder. Karan Johar will retain the remaining 50% and continue as the Executive Chairman to lead Dharma’s creative direction. As CEO, Apoorva Mehta will work closely with Johar to steer the company’s strategic and operational goals.
Adar Poonawalla expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “I am delighted to partner with one of the nation’s most iconic production houses alongside my friend Karan Johar. We aim to develop Dharma further and achieve new heights in the coming years.”
Karan Johar reflected on the legacy of Dharma Productions, founded in 1976 by his father, Yash Johar. “Dharma has always been about compelling storytelling that deeply resonates with Indian culture. This partnership with Adar, who is not only a visionary but also a dear friend, will help propel Dharma to unprecedented levels. We are blending our storytelling heritage with innovative business strategies to meet the future of global entertainment,” Johar said.
Apoorva Mehta highlighted the potential this partnership holds for creative expansion. “Having seen Dharma evolve into a diverse content powerhouse, partnering with Adar ushers in a new era where cinema and global content creation converge. This collaboration will allow us to pursue more ambitious projects and enhance the broader Indian entertainment landscape,” Mehta commented.
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Dharma Productions, responsible for influential films such as “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva,” has significantly shaped Bollywood cinema. Meanwhile, Dharmatic Entertainment, launched in 2018, focuses on producing various content, including web series and documentaries like “Ajeeb Daastaans” and “The Tribe.”
