Dharma Productions, led by Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, has announced that they will no longer hold pre-release screenings for their upcoming films. In a letter addressed to media members, the production house expressed deep gratitude for the media’s longstanding support, noting that their coverage has been instrumental in the success of Dharma’s films.

The statement outlined the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing the need to innovate and adapt to changing times. Johar and Mehta expressed that forgoing pre-release screenings is aimed at enhancing the cinematic experience for all viewers, ensuring that audiences can engage with the films as intended.

While pre-release screenings will be eliminated, Dharma Productions plans to host press screenings on the morning of the film’s release day, allowing media personnel to provide timely reviews. The production house warmly invited media members to these screenings, reinforcing the importance of their relationship with the press.

Their upcoming release includes Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt, marking a new chapter in their approach to film promotions.

Karan Johar recently addressed rumors of a rift with Jigra director Vasan Bala following comments made during an interview that sparked social media speculation. In an Instagram post, Johar encouraged people to listen to and read full interviews before jumping to conclusions. He clarified that Bala’s remarks about receiving a “roughly drafted” script were misinterpreted, emphasizing that the director had spoken with innocence and affection.

Johar expressed his appreciation for Bala, calling him one of his “most talented and wonderful” collaborators. He shared that he found the misinterpretation amusing at first but became annoyed as it spread. He urged everyone to consider the context of comments and avoid making “clickbait assumptions.”

In the interview, Bala recounted a moment when he sent a draft to Johar, who then forwarded it to Alia Bhatt without informing him. Bala humorously noted that he wished he could have done a quick spellcheck before it was shared. In response to Johar’s post, Bala commented, “Love you Karan,” adding a heart emoji, showing their continued camaraderie.

Jigra, which stars Alia Bhatt as a sister determined to free her brother from jail, is set to release on October 11.