The news is true! Adar Poonawalla’s Serene Productions is investing Rs. 1,000 crores into Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment. Dharma is India’s leading film production house. With Poonawalla’s investment, Serene Productions will hold a 50% stake in the studio that gave Bollywood its most critically acclaimed and commercially successful cinema since Karan’s father, Yash Johar, founded Dharma in 1976. Karan will retain the remaining 50% ownership and as Dharma’s Executive Chairman will spearhead the company's creative vision. The studio’s CEO, Apoorva Mehta, will work with Karan to steer the strategic direction and oversee the operational excellence of the organization.

The partnership will capitalize on the recent expansion of India’s entertainment industry fueled by a growth in digital penetration and a discerning audience looking for high-quality content across multiple platforms with growing global relevance. Dharma's rich legacy in storytelling with Poonawalla's strategic acumen and resources will synergize this collaboration that will transform content creation, distribution, and audience engagement with advanced technologies and pioneering production methods. Together, Dharma and Serene aspire to shape the future of entertainment for digital-first generations, embracing new platforms and formats to deliver compelling narratives that entertain, inspire, and engage audiences worldwide.

Expressing delight at partnering with “one of the most iconic production houses in our nation and my friend Karan Johar”, Poonawalla hoped to build and grow Dharma and scale greater heights in the years to come. Commenting on their partnership, Karan stated, "My father dreamed of creating films that would leave a lasting impact, and I've dedicated my career to expanding that vision. With Adar, a close friend and exceptional visionary and innovator, we're poised to elevate Dharma's legacy to new heights. This partnership represents a perfect blend of our emotional storytelling prowess and forward-thinking business strategies. It's about honoring our roots while embracing the future of global entertainment.” Apoorva Mehta, who has witnessed Dharma's transformation over the years into a multi-faceted content powerhouse, added, “This partnership realizes our vision and marks a new era where cinema, streaming, and global content converge. More importantly, this investment allows us to take bigger creative steps