Karan Johar Calls Himself “Worst Negotiator” After Selling 50% of Dharma Productions

MUMBAI: Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has openly admitted that he is the “worst negotiator” following the sale of 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 move aimed at expanding the studio’s creative and business ventures.

In a recent interview, Johar explained that while he leads 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,” Johar said, highlighting Mehta’s instrumental role in building the production house into one of India’s leading studios over the past two decades.

He described selling half of Dharma Productions as a strategic decision 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 deal strengthens the position of both Dharma and Dharmatic Entertainment in India’s competitive film industry.

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Despite the success of the partnership, Johar humorously admitted his lack of negotiation skills. “I’m the worst. I should never be in the negotiation room because I’ll always give up more and receive less,” he joked, offering a rare glimpse into the filmmaker’s self-awareness.

This candid admission highlights Johar’s focus on creativity over business, while also showcasing the trust he places in his team to drive the company’s growth.