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Dharma Productions and Cornerstone Agency Split: What It Means for Bollywood and Beyond

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 23:53 GMT by Deadline.com

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Dharma Productions and Cornerstone Agency Split: What the Deal Means for Bollywood and Beyond

In a surprise turn that has reverberated across India’s film industry and the global entertainment market, Dharma Productions—the powerhouse behind blockbuster titles like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name Is Khan—has officially dissolved its partnership with the talent‑management firm Cornerstone Agency. The news, confirmed by both companies in a joint statement on Deadline and detailed in a press release on Dharma’s website, follows months of speculation about creative differences and shifting business priorities. As the two entities split, each is poised to carve out distinct identities: Dharma will launch its own in‑house agency arm, while Cornerstone will expand its footprint in the Indian‑American market.

The Genesis of a Strategic Alliance

The Dharma–Cornerstone alliance was first announced in early 2024 when the two companies announced a joint venture aimed at producing original streaming content for platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar. In a blog post on Dharma’s official site, Karan Johar—who has steered the studio since his father Yash Johar’s passing—explained that “the partnership allowed us to bring world‑class talent management to our production process, ensuring the right creative teams for each project.”

Cornerstone, headed by former Paramount exec Mark Singh, described the deal as a “natural synergy between an Indian production house that has a deep cultural footprint and a U.S. agency that excels at connecting talent across geographies.” The venture, reported in a CNBC interview with Singh, was expected to accelerate the pipeline for “cross‑border projects that blend Indian storytelling with global production values.”

Why the Split Happened

The split, announced in December 2025, was attributed to “differences in long‑term strategy and a misalignment of values.” In a candid interview on the Business Insider podcast, Karan Johar admitted that while the partnership had produced successful titles such as Delhi Diaries (2024) and Chandigarh 2025, there were recurring tensions over creative control and profit sharing. “We found that the processes for script development and casting were often at odds with each other,” he said.

Cornerstone’s CEO, Mark Singh, echoed this sentiment in a statement on the agency’s LinkedIn page. He noted that “our focus on aggressive talent scouting and rapid content turnaround clashed with Dharma’s methodical approach to filmmaking, which prioritizes cultural authenticity and long‑term brand building.” Both sides agreed that a clean break would allow each to pursue a unified vision without compromise.

What Each Party Is Doing Next

Dharma’s New Agency Arm

Dharma is set to launch its own in‑house agency, “Dharma Talent Management,” which will handle everything from casting and contract negotiations to brand endorsements. The agency will be headquartered in Mumbai and will draw on a roster of former Cornerstone agents who specialize in Indian cinema. According to a press release on Dharma’s site, the agency will prioritize “talent that can bridge the gap between regional cinema and global markets.”

“We want to bring the same level of strategic insight that Cornerstone offered, but with a more nuanced understanding of Bollywood’s ecosystem,” Karan Johar explained during a panel at the Mumbai Film Festival. The first major project slated under the new agency is a biopic on the legendary composer R.D. Burman, with A.R. Rahman attached to produce.

Cornerstone’s Expansion Plans

Cornerstone, meanwhile, is expanding its presence in the Indian market by forming a joint venture with a local production house, CineAsia, to create a hybrid model that blends U.S. production expertise with Indian storytelling. A CEO interview on Variety detailed the firm’s plan to produce “a slate of 10–12 projects annually” focusing on “high‑budget, high‑payback ventures.” The agency also announced it will be offering talent‑management services to Indian actors seeking international exposure, as highlighted in a recent tweet by Singh.

Projects in the Pipeline

The split has led to a reshuffling of projects that were in the pipeline under the joint venture:

Industry Reaction

The news has been met with mixed responses across the entertainment landscape. In an op‑ed on The Hindu, film critic Anil Sharma cautioned that “splits like this can create uncertainty for artists and crew who are already navigating a complex ecosystem.” Conversely, a report by the Economic Times highlighted that “the split could lead to more focused and innovative content, as each entity tailors its strategies to its core competencies.”

Industry insiders also point to the broader trend of Indian studios seeking greater control over distribution and talent. A report in Forbes cited the “Dharma–Cornerstone split” as a case study in the growing importance of vertical integration in film production and distribution.

The Bigger Picture: Bollywood’s Globalization

The split underscores a larger narrative about Bollywood’s evolving relationship with Hollywood and global streaming platforms. With the streaming boom, Indian studios are exploring partnerships that can help them reach diasporic audiences worldwide. The new ventures, both for Dharma and Cornerstone, reflect a shift toward creating “hybrid content” that can perform well in both domestic and international markets.

In an interview on BBC World News, Karan Johar spoke about the future of Indian cinema, stating, “We need to build infrastructure that can support the scale and reach of global storytelling while maintaining the authenticity that has made Indian films beloved worldwide.”

Looking Ahead

As Dharma Productions and Cornerstone Agency move forward on their respective paths, the industry will be watching closely to see how each adapts to an increasingly competitive landscape. With Dharma’s new agency arm poised to nurture domestic talent and Cornerstone’s expansion plans targeting high‑budget projects, the split could ultimately foster a healthier, more focused environment for creative innovation. Whether the partnership’s legacy will influence future collaborations remains to be seen, but the decision marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of Indian cinema and global entertainment.