Karan Johar recently made headlines after selling a 50% stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla. Following this, Johar joined designer Maheka Mirpuri at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to co-host the 12th Annual Charity Gala for the Move for Cancer Awareness (M-Can) foundation.
The charity auction managed to raise Rs. 2,25,79,000 (Rs. 2.25 crore) for 2024, with all proceeds directed towards Tata Memorial Hospital for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Maheka Mirpuri has been closely associated with Tata Memorial Hospital for 12 years and has hosted the MCAN Charity Gala for 11 years to support underprivileged patients’ cancer treatments.
Karan Johar shared his personal connection to the cause, having lost his father, Yash Johar, to cancer. He expressed gratitude to Tata Memorial Hospital for their work and praised Maheka’s dedication to the cause. Johar emphasized the importance of empathy and support for underprivileged cancer patients.
Maheka Mirpuri expressed her gratitude towards Karan Johar for his support. She stated, “We are truly honored to have Karan join us for the second consecutive year…His personal connection to the cause makes it even more impactful.” Maheka also thanked her friends for their consistent support and generosity, noting that the Rs. 2.25 crore raised would provide vital assistance to many underprivileged patients.
Maheka’s ‘Modern Maharani’ collection was also showcased at the event, with jewelry partner Aulerth adding to the fashion show. The charity gala saw attendance from notable celebrities such as Sunil Gavaskar, Urmila Matondkar, Malaika and Zayed Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Bhagyashree Dassani, and others.
In a significant business move, Adar Poonawalla’s Serene Productions recently announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in Dharma Productions, including its digital wing, Dharmatic Entertainment, for Rs. 1,000 crore. Following the deal, Serene Productions now holds a 50% stake in Dharma, valuing the company at Rs. 2,000 crore. Johar described the partnership as a blend of “emotional storytelling prowess and forward-thinking business strategies,” while retaining his remaining 50% ownership.
