Exclusive: Worried Karan asks Ayan to cut Ranbir-Alia starrer Dragon budget by half?

The success of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha notwithstanding, there’s a feeling of growing despair in the film industry regarding the falling ratio of box office success. Even Karan Johar’s Dharma Production seems to be feeling the pinch.

Sources say that donning the role of the producer’s hat, Karan has nearly halved the original budget of his superhero movie Dragon, which goes on floors at the end of the year.

The big-budget spectacle, directed by Ayan Mukerji, features the never-before featured pair of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. It also brings together Amitabh Bachchan and Ranbir for the first time.

These tempting innovations aside, the film’s original budget, a staggering '120 crore, no longer seemed feasible.

Says a source close to Dharma, “Karan gave Ayan a choice. Either take a budget cut or shut down the film. It hasn’t been a good phase for Ranbir, and the last thing Karan wants on his hands is another Jagga Jasoos.”

Sources say Ayan will have to drop plans to get in top-notch Hollywood technicians for stunts and special effects for Dragon, given the cuts now.