Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has candidly admitted that he is the “worst negotiator” after selling a 50 percent stake in his production house, Dharma Productions.
The deal, which brought in Rs 1,000 crore from Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla, is a strategic step toward expanding the studio’s creative and business ventures.
In a recent interview, Johar explained that while he drives Dharma’s creative vision, the company’s business operations have long been managed by his close friend and CEO, Apoorva Mehta.
“My business acumen is not the sharpest. Apoorva is the brain behind Dharma, Dharmatic, Dharma 2.0, DCA—everything. I’m the creative source,” he said, highlighting Mehta’s instrumental role in building the production house into a leading studio over the past two decades.
Selling half of Dharma was strategic move
Johar also reflected on the recent partnership with Adar Poonawalla, emphasizing that selling 50 percent of Dharma Productions was intended to accelerate growth.
“It was the right decision because I knew that 50 crore could become 1,500 crore with the right investment. It allowed us to move the company forward,” he said. The move strengthens Dharma and Dharmatic Entertainment’s position in India’s competitive film industry.
Humble admission on negotiation skills
Despite the successful deal, Johar humorously admitted his weaknesses in negotiation.
“I’m the worst. I should never be in the negotiation room because I’ll always give up more and receive less,” he joked, showing a rare glimpse into the filmmaker’s self-awareness.
