During a session at the CNBC Conclave moderated by producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, filmmaker Karan Johar revealed his new partnership with entrepreneur Aadar Poonawala to expand the scope of Dharma Productions. Johar, known for steering one of India’s leading film production houses, discussed how this collaboration would open doors to various new ventures, including exploring the music industry and strengthening distribution networks.

Speaking on the partnership, Johar shared that he and Apurva Mehta, who has been instrumental in building Dharma Productions with him, had been contemplating this move for some time. He explained that the decision was driven by the need for a partner who could complement their creative vision with strong business acumen. Johar emphasized that Poonawala, a long-time friend, was the ideal choice due to his understanding of their vision and his willingness to support continued creative growth while also offering valuable business insights.

Johar mentioned that he and Poonawala had numerous discussions before finalizing the partnership. For Johar, it was less about making a difficult decision and more about aligning with someone who shared their objectives. He noted that the partnership felt like a natural fit due to their shared mindset and mutual respect.

Both Johar and Mehta believed that bringing Poonawala on board was the best move to elevate Dharma Productions to new heights. Johar expressed confidence in their combined vision for the company, highlighting how the collaboration would help them reach their goals without compromising on their creative pursuits.

This partnership marks a significant step for Dharma Productions as it aims to diversify beyond traditional filmmaking, setting the stage for further ventures into new areas of the entertainment industry.