&w=3840&q=100)
Karan Johar finally breaks silence on partnering with Adar Poonawalla for Rs 1000 crore: 'In 2023, we realised we need to...'
KJo also revealed how his friend Apoorva Mehta came to his rescue after his father's demise read more
In 2024, Karan Johar sold 50 per cent stake of his production house - Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of Serum Institute of India for Rs 1000 crore. The filmmaker recently spoke about this decision and shared that they needed funds for the growth of the company.
'I didn't want to do collaborative projects so that all the profitability stays with Dharma Productions. Our biggest hits at that time all had partners because we couldn't finance those films on our own ability, because we were new,' Karan told Raj Shamani on his YouTube channel.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Talking about his late father Yash Johar's legacy, he shared, 'Those who say nepotism, they don't know my history. I inherited goodwill from my father but not money. Before Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, we had 5 flops in a row.' Karan recalled that it was his film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai that resurrected Dharma Productions. 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai's release in 1998 marked the beginning of Dharma Productions as a strong company. What I had was my father's goodwill and his tremendous belief. He had tremendous goodwill, he was loved a lot but he didn't see success.'
KJo also revealed how his friend Apoorva Mehta came to his rescue after his father's demise. 'After my dad passed away in 2004, I had to take the company further and I couldn't have done it without Apoorva Mehta (CEO of Dharma Productions). He was my best friend in school and he left his entire life in London and overnight moved back to Mumbai. We have had our own journey. Till date my business acumen is zero but instinct is strong. He takes care of the business part, I am the creative person,' said the filmmaker.
Revealing the reason of selling stakes to Poonawalla, Johar said, 'In 2023, we realised we need to leverage and grow. In our business to grow organically would have taken me another 5-7 years. I needed the fund to grow and today, I am happy with my partnership with Adar. He is an amazing human being and his instincts are very strong. I feel accountable because this is somebody else's money. I need to get success and make my company profitable.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Top Bollywood Openers Of 2025: Housefull 5 takes the 3rd spot with Rs 22 crore net; Chhaava and Sikandar claim first 2 positions
The Bollywood box office in 2025 has been a mixed bag, with some films putting up record-breaking numbers while the others are struggling. Housefull 5 has taken a good start at the Indian box office of Rs 22 crore and it is on course for a pretty looking Rs 85 crore weekend. Let's dive into the top five Bollywood openers of 2025. The year started with a bang, with Chhaava leading the charge. Starring Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna, this historical drama smashed records with a whopping Rs 29.50 crore net on its opening day. Released on February 14, the film's gripping tale of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj struck a chord, especially in Maharashtra. It went on to do all time blockbuster level business. Next up is Sikandar, Salman Khan's Eid 2025 action drama. Directed by AR Murugadoss, it raked in an estimated Rs 25 crore net on day one. The movie could not live up to its high-set expectations and crumpled after the holiday season, thus sealing a sorry fate. Housefull 5, led by Akshay Kumar, has now claimed the third spot. The comic caper has opened to Rs 22 crore net. Early advance bookings suggested it might struggle to cross Rs 20 crore, but strong spot bookings pushed it past that mark with ease. The weekend advance bookings are looking strong and it is now to be seen how the movie sustains over the weekdays. Raid 2, starring Ajay Devgn, has dropped to the fourth spot. Released on May 1, this crime thriller opened to Rs 19 crore net. The sequel to the 2018 hit benefited from the May Day holiday on the opening day. However, it held well over the course of the next few weeks to emerge a bonafied hit. Rounding out the top five is Sky Force, with an opening day number of Rs 13.75 crore net. Top 5 Bollywood Opening Days of 2025 (India Net Collections) 1. Chhaava - Rs 29.50 crore 2. Sikandar - Rs 25 crore 3. Housefull 5 - Rs 22 crore 4. Raid 2 - Rs 19 crore 5. Sky Force - Rs 13.75 crore The industry is watching closely, as positive word-of-mouth could push Housefull 5 past Rs 200 crore net in India. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates on Housefull 5's box office. Housefull 5 plays at a theatre near you, now.


Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Housefull 5 Day 1 India Box Office: Akshay Kumar fronted comedy nets a good Rs 22 crore on Friday; To make big gains over holiday weekend
Akshay Kumar fronted Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, has taken a good start at the Indian box office. Based on early estimates, the film's opening day collections are around Rs 22 crore net. This can be taken as a win for Akshay Kumar, who has been in search for a solid theatrical hit. Initially, advance bookings suggested the film might struggle to cross Rs 20 crore. But strong on-the-day bookings have pushed it past that mark with ease. Housefull 5 boasts a massive ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Abhishek Bachchan. The comedy seems to have struck a chord, especially in mass pockets, where walk-in audiences have boosted its numbers. The Rs 22 crore opening is a promising sign, placing it among Akshay's biggest openers in a leading role. Only Mission Mangal, Sooryavanshi and Gold have registered better openings. The Day Wise Box Office Collections Of Housefull 5 Are As Under The opening day number of Housefull 5 proves that the Housefull franchise continues to have a loyal fanbase. With holidays ahead, Housefull 5 is poised for a strong showing. Advance bookings for Saturday and Sunday look robust, with estimates pointing to a weekend haul of around Rs 85 crore net. This would be very good for a comedy film in today's market. Slapstick comedy is difficult to hit the right notes and that's the reason we have such few comedies releasing these days. The initials of Housefull 5 show that there is an audience for unadulterated comedy ensembles and producers should be more fearless in staging such ensemble comedies. The movie's real test begins after the weekend. Ticket prices will drop on weekdays, and Housefull 5 needs to maintain steady collections to keep the momentum going. To emerge a hit, the film must aim for the Rs 200 crore net mark in India. The good news is that there is no Bollywood release until Sitaare Zameen Par and that means that the comic-caper will enjoy an open run. For Akshay Kumar, Housefull 5's opening is a ray of hope. After a string of underperformers, Housefull 5 could be his biggest post-pandemic grosser.


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Housefull 5 Day 1 Box Office: Akshay Kumar Film Is Franchise's Biggest Opener At Rs 22 Cr
Last Updated: Housefull 5 Day 1 Box Office: Housefull 5 opens to a massive Rs 22 crore, beating all previous installments to become the franchise's top Day 1 grosser. Housefull 5 Day 1 Box Office Collection: Akshay Kumar's return to comedy with Housefull 5 has turned out to be a major box office success. Released with an intriguing double climax – Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B – the film opened to strong numbers, collecting Rs 22 crore on its first day in India, as per early estimates by (as of 9 PM Friday). With this, Housefull 5 has emerged as the highest opening film in the franchise. The fifth installment surpassed all its predecessors, including Housefull 4 (Rs 19.08 crore), Housefull 3 (Rs 15.25 crore), Housefull 2 (Rs 12.1 crore) and the original Housefull (Rs 9.3 crore). The film registered an overall Hindi occupancy of 23.29% on Friday, indicating solid footfalls for a comedy entertainer. Produced under Sajid Nadiadwala's Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner, Housefull 5 features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Ranjeet, Johny Lever, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the film revolves around a whodunit set on a cruise ship. The story follows the murder of a billionaire (played by Ranjeet), who is killed shortly after declaring that his fortune will go to his heir, Jolly. The catch? There are three Jollys aboard — played by Akshay, Riteish, and Abhishek – and all of them, along with their girlfriends, become suspects in the crime. Despite its strong opening, the film has received mixed reviews. News18 wrote, 'It will be an understatement to say that overacting is the norm throughout the film… Overall, it is just a one-time watch for those who want to go to the theatres just to relax and unwind." Nonetheless, the curiosity around its dual-ending format and Akshay's comic timing has piqued audience interest. Whether it maintains momentum over the weekend remains to be seen, but Housefull 5 has certainly begun on a promising note. First Published: