In a significant shift in Bollywood's talent management landscape, Karan Johar and Bunty Sajdeh have formally ended their partnership at Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA). The separation marks the conclusion of a high-profile venture that has reshaped talent representation in the industry since its launch in 2020.

Reports indicate that both parties are preparing to operate their businesses independently. An official announcement regarding the split is expected soon. Following the split, Dharma Cornerstone will be restructured under Dharma Creative Agency. Meanwhile, Bunty Sajdeh is poised to continue independently, launching his own talent management company. Dharma is reportedly acquiring Cornerstone's 45% stake in the talent management LLP and will assume complete ownership and control of the entity.

Johar expressed his sentiments in a heartfelt note, acknowledging the end of their professional collaboration but emphasizing the enduring personal bond he shares with Sajdeh. He stated that Sajdeh will always be a brother.

Sources suggest that tensions between Johar and Sajdeh arose following Adar Poonawalla's Serene Productions acquiring a 50% stake in Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment earlier this year. This ₹1,000-crore investment, one of the entertainment sector's largest, significantly altered internal dynamics and is believed to have triggered the drift between the two DCA founders. The deal granted Serene Productions a 50% stake in Johar's companies, with Johar becoming Executive Chairman and Apoorva Mehta continuing as CEO. While the investment was a boost for Dharma's production and digital ventures, it reportedly created friction within the talent management joint venture.

Bunty Sajdeh is a prominent figure in the talent management industry, credited with shaping the careers of numerous sports and entertainment personalities over nearly two decades. He began his career at Percept Entertainment before moving to Globosport as head of entertainment. In 2008, he founded Cornerstone, initially focusing on sports before expanding into entertainment and eventually partnering with Dharma to establish DCA. Sajdeh has managed sports icons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

DCA has represented some of India's leading entertainment figures, including Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Aditya Roy Kapur, Neha Kakkar, Jubin Nautiyal, and next-generation celebrities like Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shanaya Kapoor. Dharma Cornerstone Agency also manages actors like Sara Ali Khan.