Karan Johar recently sold 50% stake in Dharma Productions to Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawala with an investment of Rs 1000 crore. In his first interview after the deal, Karan joked about changing the name of the company to ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Serum’ and ‘Pharma Productions’, adding an amusing twist to the big business move.
At the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit, Karan Johar discussed selling stake in Dharma Productions to Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawala. He joked about changing the name of the company to ‘Pharma Productions’ or ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Serum’.
Karan reflected on the acquisition by his longtime friend Adar Poonawala, saying that it was the best decision for both of them. He emphasized how their partnership brings together two like-minded people, with Adar providing strong business insight while allowing Karan to maintain his creative vision.
The filmmaker shared that partnering with Adar Poonawala was an easy decision. He added that both he and Apoorva (CEO of Dharma Productions) felt that Aadar was the ideal partner to help take Dharma Productions to new heights.
KJO reflected on the journey of Dharma Productions, noting that the company has been producing a number of films and content for over 15 years, adding that before that, it was mostly his directorial films, which were curated by his father. He mentioned that to boost growth, they realized the need for investment and the importance of contributing to their profitability, resulting in the decision to sell the stake and form a partnership with someone.
Earlier, after the filmmaker announced the sale of stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawala, actor Javed Jaffrey had shared a playful reaction on X (formerly Twitter). Reposting the news, Javed reacted humorously to the deal by teasing Karan’s ‘next film’ and titled it Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Serum.
Karan had earlier shared his excitement about the partnership with Adar Poonawala, highlighting how Dharma Productions has always focused on telling powerful storytelling that reflects Indian culture. He reflected his father’s dream of making films that leave a lasting impact, a vision he has carried forward in his career.
With Adar’s innovative vision, Karan sees this collaboration as a perfect blend of emotional storytelling and business acumen, positioning Dharma for the global future. The partnership promises to bring new opportunities, creating content that resonates across cultures and generations.
Meanwhile, Dharma Productions, founded by Yash Johar in 1976 and now directed by his son Karan Johar after Yash’s demise in 2004, stands as a major force in Indian cinema. With over 40 years of storytelling talent, the studio has created many iconic films that continue to enthrall audiences around the world.
Also read: Big Development: Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions gets Rs 1000 crore investment from Adar Poonawala to create content for global audience
