Kartik Aaryan Playfully Trolls Karan Johar Over Dharma Stake Sale: “I Heard It Was 51%”

Kartik Aaryan recently took another playful jab at Karan Johar, this time over the sale of 50% of Dharma Productions’ stakes to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute. A video from the IIFA 2025 awards has been making rounds online, capturing their humorous exchange.  

In the clip, Kartik jokingly expresses his wish to become Karan’s business partner. Karan, playing along, asks, “What will you be? A clothes person, a cobbler, a cosmetics dealer, or a property handler?” Kartik quickly responds, “Poonawalla? You didn’t mention that!”  

Karan then replies, “Say his name with respect, he owns 50% of the company.” Kartik, staying sharp, quips, “I heard it was 51%.”  

Previously, at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit, Karan had shared his reasons for the stake sale, describing it as a strategic decision for Dharma’s growth. He emphasized the need for a partner with a fresh perspective. Meanwhile, Adar Poonawalla acknowledged the entertainment industry’s risks but saw significant potential in Dharma’s diverse verticals, such as music distribution and content creation.