Memes galore as Adar Poonawalla buys 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma: 'Kabhi Covid Na Kehna'

CEO and owner of Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla and (right) filmmaker and owner of 50% stake of Dharma Productions and its executive chairman Karan Johar. (Image credit: Instagram)

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions on Monday declared that the billionaire CEO of Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla is buying a 50 percent stake in the entertainment company for Rs 1,000 crore. The announcement amused social media users and triggered the meme factory over the association of the Covid vaccine manufacturer with Bollywood films.

"Mere Covishield ke paise se Student of the Year 3 banayenge (They will make Student of the Year 3 with the money I paid for my Covishield vaccine)," commented comedian Uddhav Parab (@UddhavParab263) on X. Announcing a start to the meme fest, cinema enthusiast Nirupama Kotru wrote, "Vaccine with Karan, Medical Student of the Year, Kabhi Covid Na Kehna, Kabhi Sui Kabhi Balgam."

Let the meme fest beginVaccine with KaranMedical Student of the yearKabhi Covid Na KehnaKabhi sui kabhi balgam... https://t.co/Y4EKu4IMTt
nirupama kotru (@nirupamakotru) October 21, 2024

Many other social media users also called the development "a booster shot for Bollywood" and also pointed out that Poonawalla's wife Natasha is a Bollywood socialite and Karan Johar's friend.

According to the company release, the filmmaker will retain the remaining 50 percent stake in Dharma Productions and will continue to remain as the company's executive chairman. Apoorva Mehta will remain as the CEO.

"India's entertainment industry has experienced significant expansion, driven by surging digital penetration and a diverse audience seeking high-quality content across multiple platforms, with growing global relevance," it stated. "This strategic partnership between Serene Productions and Dharma is designed to capitalize on these opportunities by combining Dharma's rich legacy in storytelling with Adar Poonawalla's strategic acumen and resources."

It added that the collaboration aims to further transform content creation, distribution, and audience engagement by integrating advanced technologies and pioneering production methods.

In a statement, Poonawalla said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of the most iconic production houses in our nation, along with my friend Karan Johar. We hope to build and grow Dharma and scale even greater heights in the years to come."