Karan Johar opens up on future of Dharma; Calls investment a strategic business deal; Says Adar Poonawalla may seek exit later

Filmmaker Karan Johar has spoken candidly about the future of the partnership between his banner and business magnate Adar Poonawalla.Last year, Karan Johar sold a 50 per cent stake in Dharma Productions to Poonawalla, who reportedly invested Rs 1000 crore into Dharma Productions and its digital arm, Dharmatic Entertainment.Now, Karan Johar has revealed that the deal though significant remains purely business-driven and may eventually lead to Poonawalla exiting the company. Speaking in a conversation with Sarthak Ahuja, he said, “I think this was a move towards diversification, but with him (Adar), it’s a balance. I’m sure at some point, he is looking for an exit out of this deal because he is a businessman, and this is a business. But also, I think he is a lover of the arts.

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Karan Johar explains how the investment aligns with business goals

The filmmaker elaborated on the financial logic behind the acquisition. According to him, Poonawalla understands both the creative and commercial value of the entertainment industry but remains guided by long-term economic thinking. Johar said, “Maybe the return at that point, after 8 or 10 years or whenever he is looking at it is not magnificently huge but enough to have satiated him, to have satiated his creativity or rather his diversification needs as well as given him that kind of glory.

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Karan Johar gets candid about his own financial reality

Karan Johar commented on his own wealth and the perception surrounding it. He said, “You look at my bank balance. I am nothing compared to a gazillion business heads but there is a love that people have for the work we do, and that kind of glory cannot be monetised.”He added that his public image often leads to misconceptions about his financial worth. He noted, “I may live a certain life and project a certain lifestyle but please look at my accounts and it will be ‘yeh toh naam bada hai darshan chote hai’.”

Respect over power

Karan Johar also reflected on how he prioritises values over perception. He explained that power is not something he associates with titles or fame. Instead, he said, “I don’t associate name with power. I associate name with respect and I always think that respect is bigger than love. Reputation and respect is so much bigger than love, and when you earn that, it is more than what any IP can give me.”The filmmaker’s revelations indicate that the Dharma–Poonawalla partnership rests on mutual respect but clear business intentions. 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' was the recently produced film of the production house.