Adar Poonawalla Acquires 50% Stake in Dharma Productions

Adar Poonawalla's Serene Productions has secured a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions for 10 billion rupees ($119 million), marking a significant investment in Bollywood amidst the industry's recovery from the pandemic. The deal values Dharma Productions at 20 billion rupees, with Johar retaining the other half of ownership. Poonawalla expressed enthusiasm about partnering with one of India's iconic production houses, emphasizing ambitions to elevate Dharma Productions further. This investment is seen as a strategic move to diversify Poonawalla's portfolio after significant gains from vaccine sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration aims to innovate content creation and distribution while addressing the challenges faced by the Bollywood industry, including competition from streaming platforms. Johar highlighted the partnership as a blend of emotional storytelling and modern business strategies, reflecting the evolving landscape of global entertainment.