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Tag: Adar Poonawalla

  • Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions hires senior distribution executive?

    Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions hires senior distribution executive?

    MUMBAI: First came Adar Poonawalla who handed out  Rs 1000 crore to Karan Johar for a 50 per cent stake in his Dharma Productions. Now Dharma Productions  CEO Apoorva Mehta and Karan are clearly indicating  the direction the company is taking – becoming  a complete studio a la YRF. That is it wants to produce and distribute its own releases as well as possibly do it for others.

    Hence, the alleged hiring of former Zee Studios  senior acquisitions and distribution executive Bhumika Tewari, if reports are to be believed. (Actually, Bhumika’s  linkedin profile has her as recently as  one week ago reposting  a post from Roy Kapur Films about  Zee Studios’ release of the Shahid Kapoor-Pooja Hegde starrer Deva on 31 January)

    Bhumika has a rock solid film distribution background. She has spent almost 12 years at Zee Studios heading worldwide theatrical distribution and then content acquisition. She also has more than 16 years on the exhibition side working with Fun Multiplex (thirteen and a half years) and Cinepolis (two years eight months)

    She has been behind some big blockbusters like Good Newz and Kesari while at Zee Studios.

    Confirmations about Bhumika joining Dharma were not available from anyone at the time of writing.  Keep watching this space. 
     

  • Adar Poonawalla acquires 50 per cent stake in Dharma Productions for Rs 1000 Cr

    Adar Poonawalla acquires 50 per cent stake in Dharma Productions for Rs 1000 Cr

    Mumbai: In a blockbuster deal that blends Bollywood glamour with business acumen, Serum Institute of India, CEO, Adar Poonawalla has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for Rs 1000 crore. This partnership not only infuses the storied film production house with fresh capital but also marks Poonawalla’s strategic entry into the entertainment sector, broadening his portfolio beyond healthcare.

    Dharma Productions, known for producing some of Bollywood’s biggest hits, will now benefit from Poonawalla’s business expertise and resources. The deal is set to drive the company’s expansion into new content forms and strengthen its position in the evolving Indian film industry. The acquisition also brings an added layer of financial strength and strategic backing that is expected to propel Dharma into new ventures.

    Johar, expressing his optimism about the partnership, stated, “I am thrilled to welcome Adar Poonawalla to the Dharma family. His vision aligns with ours, and this investment will open up new avenues for us to create engaging and meaningful content.”

    This agreement symbolises a fresh chapter for Dharma Productions, which has been a cornerstone of Bollywood for decades. With Poonawalla on board, the company aims to accelerate its growth plans, expand its reach across platforms, and capitalise on emerging digital opportunities. The funds are likely to be used for producing high-budget films, expanding the company’s digital content division, and exploring international collaborations.

    Poonawalla commented on his latest investment, saying, “Bollywood has always fascinated me, and this partnership is a step towards not only investing in a successful business but also in the future of Indian cinema. I look forward to working closely with Karan Johar and the team at Dharma to achieve great things.”

    The deal puts Dharma Productions in a stronger position to compete with other major players in India’s entertainment industry. Prior to Poonawalla’s entry, the stake was hotly contested, with Reliance and Saregama among the potential buyers. However, Poonawalla’s winning bid underscored his serious intent to diversify his investments beyond the pharmaceutical industry.

    Industry insiders believe this move will encourage more industrialists to look at the entertainment sector as a viable investment avenue. With content consumption surging across digital platforms, Poonawalla’s financial backing could help Dharma Productions expand its footprint in streaming and international markets.

  • Serene Productions and Dharma Productions team up for next-gen global content

    Serene Productions and Dharma Productions team up for next-gen global content

    Mumbai – Adar Poonawalla led Serene Productions has announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to invest Rs 1,000 crore into Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment (collectively, “Dharma”). Through this investment, Serene Productions will hold a 50 per cent stake in Dharma, with Karan Johar retaining the remaining 50 per cent ownership.

    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, 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, Johar 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.”

    Mehta 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.”

  • Varun & Alia become Romeo & Juliet to teach you cleanliness

    Varun & Alia become Romeo & Juliet to teach you cleanliness

    MUMBAI: Did you ever think that the epic Romeo and Juliet could make a case of ‘keep your city clean’ initiative? That’s just that Adar Poonawalla’s Clean City advertisement has attempted with Bollywood actors Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt.

    Created by Dharma 2.0, the TVCs highlight the importance of keeping your city clean and urges people to take smaller steps to do their bit for their city. The two adverts, titled ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Astronaut’ reinforce the core message of keeping a city clean by taking essential steps like throwing waste in the bin.

    In the first ad, Juliet waits in her balcony to be proposed by Romeo. However, during their conversation, Juliet happens to throw a juice box outside. This disturbs our hero, who retracts the proposal and leaves her. He picks the box and throws it in the garbage bin showing how necessary it is to properly dispose waste and keep the surroundings clean.

    The second advertisement features two astronauts, a woman and a man, who descend from a spaceship on the moon. The two crack a few jokes during which, the man unwraps a chocolate bar and mindlessly throws the wrapper which floats owing to lack of gravity. Here, the woman gets irked and tells him to not throw garbage on the moon, before leaving him behind and shutting him out of the spaceship. The TVC ends with her asking the audience to keep their city clean.

    The quirky themes employed for the adverts are humorous and urge people to take necessary actions, in a light-hearted manner.

    Dharma 2.0 head Punit Malhotra said, “The importance of a greener and cleaner environment needs to be reinforced and the two TVCs intend to do just that. The campaign draws strong humorous elements and features the two youth icons, Alia and Varun to establish a strong connect with the millennials.”

    Serum Institute of India owner and CEO Adar Poonawalla added, “The Clean City initiative works tirelessly to encourage people to take smaller steps that go a long way in keeping a city clean. The initiative brings together the people in the city because it is only through their active participation that positive change can be brought about. It also tackles the task of cleaning 800kms of Pune streets on a daily basis. It is imperative to get the word out and urge other cities across the country to join in the movement. The campaign created by Dharma 2.0 is engaging and entertaining.”