Karan Johar Responds to Backlash After Selling 50% of Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla's Serene Productions

October 28, 2024: Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar recently stirred up discussions after selling a 50% stake in his esteemed production house, Dharma Productions, to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute. This business move quickly became the subject of social media chatter, with many questioning why Johar decided to part with half of his company. Responding indirectly to the speculations, Karan shared a cryptic message on Instagram, hinting at the nature of competition and collaboration: "Competition happens at the bottom. The people at the top are collaborating."

Also Read: Divya Khossla Kumar Fires Back at Karan Johar Over Jigra Row, Alleges Alia Bhatt’s Film Copied Her Work

Following the news of the sale, fans and industry insiders had mixed reactions. Actor Jaaved Jaaferi humorously suggested a playful title for Dharma’s future projects, quipping, "Next film: Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Serum." Others joined in, offering light-hearted titles like "Covi Khushi Covi Gham" and "Vaccine Ke Baad Se Kuch Kuch Hota Hai."

Also Read: Adar Poonawalla to Acquire 50% Stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for ₹1,000 Crore

The Poonawalla-Dharma Deal
Under this new partnership, Poonawalla’s Serene Productions will invest over ₹1,000 crore in Dharma, taking a 50% stake while Karan Johar retains the remaining ownership. According to an official statement, the alliance aims to create innovative, high-quality content for a global audience, leveraging Dharma's legacy and Poonawalla’s strategic insight.

Dharma Productions has produced numerous hits that have become Hindi cinema classics, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Wake Up Sid, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. However, recent years have seen mixed success for the banner, with some releases underperforming at the box office, sparking speculation about the timing of this new partnership.