Dharma Productions and Nepo-Power: Budgets, Casting, and OTT Rights Under Scrutiny

Dharma Productions' stake swap and a string of flops have reignited nepotism chatter in Bollywood. In October 2024, Dharma Productions sold 50% stake to Adar Poonawala to get rid of the huge losses incurred by Liger and Brahmastra ^[1]. Since then, five major releases under Adar's watch flopped: Jigra, Kesari 2, Homebound, Dhadak 2, and Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari ^[1].

Questions swirl about who steers the creative ship now. The conversation lingers on whether Karan Johar keeps the full creative reign or shares the helm with Adar Poonawala, as the post hints at a shift in leadership dynamics ^[1].

On the talent side, Dhadak 2 has become a flashpoint in nepotism debates: reports claim Siddhant and Tripti left DCA—Dharma's talent agency—amid talk of favoritism and stasis around outsiders ^[2]. Even ahead of any screening, Homebound was India's Oscar entry before its theatrical release, underscoring a rapid PR and platform strategy ^[2].

Meanwhile, a running thread in discussions spotlights outsider dynamics and star-kid trajectories, citing Varun Dhawan amid a slate of Dharma projects like Kalank, Street Dancer 3D, JugJugg Jeeyo, Bhediya, and Baby John—and the push to keep the Maddock Universe and Border 2 in play ^[3]. The debate isn’t going away; the next moves could redefine what counts as opportunity in Bollywood’s nepo-era.

Closing thought: budgets, leadership shifts, and casting politics are shaping Dharma’s trajectory, making the next slate the real test for nepo-power.

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