Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions Moves to Acquire Remake Rights of Odia Blockbuster Bou Bhuttu Bhuta

Ziya Khan September 23, 2025Last Updated: September 23, 2025

After successfully remaking films from Marathi, Gujarati, and South Indian industries, Bollywood is now turning its attention to the rapidly growing Odia film sector. It has emerged that Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is in the process of acquiring the remake rights to Bou Bhuttu Bhuta—the highest-grossing Odia film to date.

According to a public notice published in Komal Nahta’s Film Information magazine by Rakhee Bajpai Tiwari, Chief Legal Officer of Dharma Productions Pvt. Ltd., the company is officially securing remake rights for the 2025 Odia hit Bou Bhuttu Bhuta, starring Babushaan Mohanty, Archita Sahu, and Aparajita Mohanty. The acquisition covers remake rights across all Indian and international languages, including derivative rights for developing, producing, distributing, and exploiting remakes on all mediums and platforms.

Additionally, it grants rights for dubbing and subtitling the film worldwide, in perpetuity. The notice clarifies that Babushaan Films Pvt. Ltd., the original rights holder, owns all intellectual property related to the film free from any encumbrances or third-party claims. Interested parties were invited to raise any objections within 15 days of the notice to preserve their rights.

Released on June 12 this year, Bou Bhuttu Bhuta became the highest-grossing Odia film ever, outperforming competitors like Housefull 5 and Sitaare Zameen Par. Starting with an opening day collection of around ₹40 lakhs, it surged to ₹1.25 crores on its fourth day (Sunday) and collected ₹1.05 crores on the fifth day despite being a working Monday. Its lifetime earnings are estimated at ₹14-15 crores—nearly double the total collection of the second-highest grosser Daman (2022), which earned approximately ₹7.5 crores.

A horror-thriller-comedy, Bou Bhuttu Bhuta tells the story of a fish farmer who, upon returning home from work outside his village, becomes possessed by a ghost, unleashing chaos—especially affecting his sorceress mother and love interest.

This acquisition aligns with Dharma Productions’ strategy of expanding beyond Hindi originals and exploring regional narratives with national potential. The remake is expected to feature a leading Bollywood cast and fresh directorial vision, bringing this Odia blockbuster to a wider audience across India.