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Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 11:59 IST
Karan Johar sold a 50 per cent stake in Dharma Productions to Serum Institute’s CEO Adar Poonawalla.
Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar exchanged playful jabs recently regarding the sale of a significant stake in Dharma Productions. For those unfamiliar with the details, Karan Johar has transferred a 50% ownership stake in his renowned film production company to Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute. Reports suggest that this transaction involved a hefty investment of around Rs 1000 crore in both Dharma Productions and its associated entity, Dharmatic Entertainment.
During the IIFA Awards ceremony this year, Kartik Aaryan lightheartedly suggested to Karan Johar that he should consider making him a partner. Karan responded with a teasing inquiry about what role Kartik would assume, listing various options such as fashion and real estate. In a witty comeback, Kartik reminded Karan of Poonawalla’s involvement, to which Karan remarked, “Listen, he has 50% stake with the name Adar.” Not missing a beat, Kartik retorted, “I thought I heard 51%.”
The partnership was further elaborated on by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla during a discussion at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit last year. Karan expressed that this collaboration represents a “great marriage of two minds” and indicated that the decision to partner was straightforward for him. He emphasized the importance of having someone with a fresh perspective in order to enhance business strategy and growth, stating, “I needed the partnership for that… someone who could help me create a vision and contribute strongly to growth with their business insight.”
Adar Poonawalla’s foray into the entertainment sector caught many by surprise. Reflecting on his choice, he noted, “I was as shocked as everyone else was for making this move,” and added, “It’s not such a bad business opportunity… verticals like music distribution and content creation are areas that are poised to flourish in the next 5-7 years.” He admitted that Johar’s exceptional storytelling abilities were a significant lure, citing that despite the inherent risks in the entertainment industry, Dharma Productions already holds a substantial brand reputation.
Source
www.news18.com