In a candid moment during a recent conversation in Game Changers podcast, filmmaker Karan Johar opened up about a pivotal business decision that reshaped the trajectory of his production house. Reflecting on how he chose to sell half of the company’s stakes in 2024, Karan shared a deeply personal account of friendship, trust, and strategic growth, “It so happened eventually that Adar and his wife Natasha have been my close friends, very dear to me. He picked up the phone one day and said that he was interested, but I told him that this was not his business. He said he also wanted to expand… Apoorva said that Adar is great – he is a friend, compassionate and wants to expand. So, we haven’t lost any creative control. There are balances because when there’s a partner, you become more accountable. We got an investment for expansion, I was able to immediately open a distribution arm and talks are going on to do something big with the music arm. Adar is wonderful, compassionate and has a sharp mind in business. He is somebody we turn to when we want to do bigger deals. Apoorva and I lean on him for advice.” The decision, rooted in long standing personal ties has since opened new doors for Dharma Productions. With Adar Poonawala’s involvement, the company has not only secured financial backing of about Rs 1,000 crore (50 percent sale) but also gained a strategic partner whose business acumen complements its creative vision. As Karan and his team continue to explore new ventures, the partnership stands as a testament to how trust and shared ambition can fuel meaningful expansion.
