Highlights
In a dramatic chain of events, Serene Productions has announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to invest Rs1,000 crore into Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment (collectively ‘Dharma’).
Through this investment, the Adar Poonawalla company is going to hold a 50% stake in one of the leading production houses in the country. Prominent producer, director and television personality Karan Johar retains the remaining 50% stake.
The official press release from Dharma states that karan johar Johar as the Executive Chairman is going to spearhead the company’s creative vision. He and Chief Executive Officer Apoorva Mehta are set to focus on the strategic direction and operational excellence of the organisation.
BIGGG DEVELOPMENT… #AdarPoonawalla’s Serene Productions acquires 50% stake in #KaranJohar’s Dharma Productions *and* Dharmatic Entertainment for ₹ 1,000 cr… OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Read details HERE… pic.twitter.com/ZnXZ9kKKwv
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 21, 2024
Serene Productions and Dharma become partners: Experts note reasons
Vaccine tycoon Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive of the Serum Institute of India, is making the investment in his private capacity through Serene Productions. This partnership is aimed at giving Dharma enough financial muscle to navigate audiences’ demands.
Citing people having details about the situation, Economic Times reported that the key factor that led to stitching together this alliance is Johar retaining creative control and, simultaneously, making a deep pocket family he is familiar with a partner.
Besides helping Dharma address the fast-changing demands of its digitally savvy consumers, the investment is also going to boost the production house’s efforts to increase content for more platforms and formats, and continue to deliver interesting content.
Isn’t Dharma Productions noting a surge in revenue?
Serene Productions and Dharma joined hands in a big but unsurprising move, because it has been earlier reported that the Karan Johar production house has been actively seeking investments and speaking to several large conglomerates.
Dharma Productions posted a fourfold surge in revenue to Rs1,040 crore in FY23, compared to the Rs 276 crore collected in the previous year. But net profit fell 59% to Rs 11 crore due to a substantial increase in expenses, reported Hindustan Times.
The partnership is going to represent a blend of rich storytelling and strategic resources. It seeks to further transform content creation, distribution, and audience engagement by integrating pioneering production methods and advanced technologies.
Blend of storytelling capabilities and business strategies
The announcement of Serene Productions and Dharma joining hands is nothing less than a step in the direction of elevating the Indian entertainment industry on the global stage, according to the press release on Monday.
Speaking about the partnership, Adar Poonaalla expressed his delight in having the opportunity to become a partner of “one of the most iconic production houses” in India. He hopes to help Dharma scale even greater heights in the years to come.
Karan Johar, Executive Chairman of Dharma, also commented on the investment, noting that the partnership represents a perfect blend of their emotional storytelling capabilities and advanced business strategies.
Eight notable movies from Dharma Productions
Karan Johar’s late father Yash Johar started Dharma Productions in 1976. Its first production venture titled ‘Dostana’ stars the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. Since Karan’s directorial debut film ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, the company has gone on to produce over 60 movies.
| Notable movies | Year |
|---|---|
| Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | 16 October 1998. |
| 2 States | 18 April 2014 |
| Simmba | 28 December 2018 |
| Badrinath Ki Dulhania | 10 March 2017 |
| Student Of The Year | 19 October 2012 |
| Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham | 14 December 2001 |
| My Name Is Khan | 12 February 2010 |
| Dear Zindagi | 25 November 2016 |
1. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
This blockbuster movie released on the big screens back on 16 October 1998. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukherji and Salman Khan in key roles. ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ tells a beautiful yet thoughtful story of the protagonists reuniting after years.
2. 2 States
Starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor, ‘2 States’ is based on a novel by Chetan Bhagat. North and South India come together in this romantic comedy-drama. Can the ML and FL convince their parents to bless their relationship before they get married?
3. Simmba
‘Simmba’ released in theatres on 28 December 2018. It stars Ranveer Singh and Sara ali Khan in prominent roles. In the movie, Simmba enjoys all the perks of being a corrupt police officer until a life-changing event forces him to choose the righteous path.
4. Badrinath Ki Dulhania
‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ is a notable project from 10 March 2017. Badri, a rich man’s son, meets Vaidehi at a marriage party. He yearns for nothing but marrying her. But the female lead in the story is interested in pursuing her dream of becoming an air hostess.
5. Student Of The Year
Released on 19 October 2012, ‘Student Of The Year’ is a game-changing project for three debutants, Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra – all three of them performing great in the entertainment industry at the moment.
6. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ is from 2001 but the engaging plot is making the global audience see it again and again even today. The adopted but much-loved elder son of a rich couple is banished by his father. But his younger brother is adamant about reuniting his family.
7. My Name Is Khan
It’s one of my all-time favorites. Starring SRK and Kajol, ‘My Name is Khan’ is based on a thoughtful plot featuring Rizan, a man suffering from Asperger’s syndrome, and Mandira. The ML is on a journey to change people’s perception of his community.
8. Dear Zindagi
Releasing on the big screen on 25 November 2016, ‘Dear Zindagi’ is a much-needed movie for the era. Kaira starts to suffer from insomnia after a series of issues in her career and relationships. But her psychologist uses unconventional treatment methods.
1. Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt is one of India’s most sought-after actresses. She made her Hindi cinema debut in Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’ in 2012. Through her performance in ‘Raazi’, ‘Dear Zindagi’, ‘Kalank’, ‘Jigra’, ‘Kapoor & Sons’, ‘Shandaar’ and ‘Gangubai Kathiaadi’, she has flaunted her skills.
2. Varun Dhawan
Son of director David, Dhaan also starred in the ‘Student Of The Year’ project. He is among the highest-paid actors in the country. Even before venturing into acting, the actor started his career in the entertainment business as an assistant director to Karan Johar.
3. Sidharth Malhotra
Before making his acting debut in ‘Student Of The Year’, Malhotra played the role of an assistant director to Johar for ‘My Name Is Khan’ in 2010. Originally, he had little to no connections to the industry. But over the year, he has made quite a big impression on the audience.
4. Ananya Pandey
Pandey made her acting debut in ‘Student Of The Year 2’ in 2019, also starring Tara Sutaria and Tiger Shroff in lead roles. The daughter of Chunky Pandey and Bhavana Pandey, she has been cast by Johar in another project titled ‘Gehraiyaan’.
5. Tara Sutaria
Sutaria made her career debut as a singer for Disney India’s ‘Big Bada Boom’. She later shifted to the acting scene and debuted in ‘Student Of The Year 2’. Previously, she’s in the running to be cast as Princess Jasmine. But Naomi Scott bagged the role in the end.
6. Janhvi Kapoor
Daughter of director Boney Kapoor and late actress Sri Devi, Kapoor starred in 2018’s ‘Dhadak’, launched by Dharma Productions. Her third film ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ released in theatres in 2020. The actress gave a brilliant performance in the movie.
7. Ishaan Khatter
Khatter made his Hindi cinema debut in the same film as Janhvi Kapoor. Critics later labeled him as a natural performer. He is the half-brother of superstar Shahid Kapoor. In 2024, Khatter made his Hollywood debut in the Netflix release ‘The Perfect Couple’.
8. Rohit Sharaf
Do you remember Sharaf from Netflix romantic comedy series ‘Mismatched’? He started his career on different television projects. Later, he played a supporting role in ‘Dear Zindagi’. He has delivered notable performances in ‘Hichki’, ‘Ludo’ and ‘The Sky Is Pink’.
9. Shakun Batra
Batra started his film journey as a side actor in ‘Don: The Chase Begins’. He later played the role of an assistant director on projects like ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ and ‘Rock On’. Batra made his directorial debut on Karan Johar’s production ‘Ek Main aur Ek Tu’ in 2012.
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