Amid swirling rumors of a potential takeover, the Twitter bio of Dharma Productions has caught the eye of film enthusiasts. Despite reports of Saregama, part of the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, looking to take over the renowned production house and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries (RIL) possibly acquiring a minority stake, the bio still lists Karan Johar as the owner.
The bio on Dharma Productions’ Twitter handle reads: “Jigra o, ab ki teri baari oh!❤️ Owned by Karan Johar & CEO Apoorva Mehta.” This has further fueled online discussions, with social media platforms, particularly Reddit, buzzing with speculation regarding the company’s future.
Currently in dharma production’s bio… damn they gotta clarify byu/Intelligent-Swan-220 inBollyBlindsNGossip
According to a report by The Economic Times, Reliance Industries is eyeing a strategic stake in Dharma Productions. A source quoted by the publication revealed, “In the past, RIL acquired a minority stake in Balaji. A similar structure could be pursued with Dharma.” The report also highlights that Dharma, currently 90.7% owned by Karan Johar and 9.24% by his mother, Hiroo Johar, has been exploring strategic partnerships for some time.
“Karan Johar has been looking for ways to monetize his stake, but previous negotiations were hindered by valuation disagreements,” said another source familiar with the ongoing talks.
Who’s Really in Line to Acquire Dharma?
Last week, reports surfaced suggesting that Saregama was leading the race to take over Dharma Productions. However, a counter-report by Mint claimed that the deal had not yet reached a final stage and might not materialize.
Founded by Yash Johar in 1979, Dharma Productions has established itself as one of India’s most prominent film production companies. Under Karan Johar’s leadership since 2003, the studio has produced iconic films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan, and Student of the Year.
However, the film industry, including Dharma, has been grappling with significant challenges in recent years. Rising production costs, reduced cinema attendance, and the growing shift towards OTT platforms have put pressure on traditional production houses, according to the Economic Times report.
As rumors continue to swirl, movie buffs and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting an official announcement regarding the future ownership of the iconic production house.