Adar Poonawalla led Serene Productions today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to invest INR 1,000 crore into Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment (collectively, “Dharma”), India’s leading production house. Through this investment, Serene Productions will hold a 50% stake in Dharma, with Karan Johar retaining the remaining 50% ownership.
Karan Johar as the Executive Chairman will spearhead the company’s creative vision, while Apoorva Mehta, in his role as the Chief Executive Officer, will work with Karan in steering the strategic direction and overseeing the operational excellence of the organization.
India’s entertainment industry has experienced significant expansion, driven by surging digital penetration and a diverse audience seeking high-quality content across multiple platforms, with growing global relevance. This strategic partnership between Serene Productions and Dharma is designed to capitalize on these opportunities by combining Dharma’s rich legacy in storytelling with Adar Poonawalla’s strategic acumen and resources. The collaboration aims to further transform content creation, distribution, and audience engagement by integrating advanced technologies and pioneering production methods.
By leveraging this synergy, Serene Productions and Dharma seek to meet the evolving demands of today’s digitally savvy consumers while pushing the boundaries of creative storytelling. Together, they 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.
This alliance signifies a transformative step toward elevating the Indian entertainment industry on the global stage, in an era where the relationship between audiences and entertainment platforms is more dynamic and interactive than ever before.
Talking about the partnership, Adar Poonawalla, said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of the most iconic production houses in our nation, along with my friend Karan Johar. We hope to build and grow Dharma and scale even greater heights in the years to come.”
Commenting on the partnership, Karan Johar, Executive Chairman of Dharma, stated, “From its inception, Dharma Productions has been synonymous with heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of Indian culture. My father dreamed of creating films that would leave a lasting impact, and I’ve dedicated my career to expanding that vision. Today, as we join forces with Adar, a close friend and an 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. Dharma’s journey has been remarkable, and this collaboration opens up a world of possibilities for creating content that will resonate across borders and generations.”
Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma, said, “Over the years, I’ve witnessed Dharma’s transformation into a multi-faceted content powerhouse. This partnership with Adar realizes our vision and marks a new era where cinema, streaming, and global content converge. It enables us to explore new avenues in content creation and distribution, elevating the Indian entertainment ecosystem. More importantly, this investment allows us to take bigger creative steps.”
Advisors:
The Raine Group served as the exclusive financial advisor to Dharma. AZB & Partners served as the legal counsel to Dharma Productions. JSA served as the legal counsel to Serene Productions.
About Dharma Productions:
Dharma Productions is one of India’s leading film production and distribution companies, founded by Yash Johar in 1976 and now helmed by Karan Johar. With a legacy spanning over four decades, Dharma Productions has been at the forefront of the Indian film industry, producing critically acclaimed and commercially successful films that have resonated with audiences both domestically and globally. The company is known for its commitment to storytelling excellence, high production values, and launching new talent in the industry. Recent notable films include “Kill”, “Bad Newz”, “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani”, “Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva”. Dharma Productions continues to push the boundaries of Indian cinema, exploring diverse genres and innovative narratives.
About Dharmatic Entertainment:
Dharmatic Entertainment is the digital content arm of Dharma Productions, established to create engaging and original content for global streaming platforms. Launched in 2018, Dharmatic focuses on developing and producing a wide array of content, including web series, documentaries, and feature films tailored for digital audiences. With a vision to expand the storytelling horizons beyond traditional cinema, Dharmatic leverages the creative expertise of Dharma Productions while embracing new formats and storytelling techniques suited for the digital landscape. The company has collaborated with leading OTT platforms to deliver content in the likes of “The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives”, “Call Me Bae”, “The Tribe”, “Show Time”, and “Love Storiyaan”, that appeals to both Indian and international viewers, contributing to the evolving digital entertainment ecosystem.
