Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s production powerhouse Excel Entertainment has entered into a strategic partnership with Hollywood giant Universal Studios, signaling a new phase of global collaboration and scale for Indian content. According to a report in Mid-Day, Universal Studios has acquired a minority stake in Excel, while the majority stake remains with the Indian banner.
Universal Studios invests in Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment to expand Indian production: Report
what does partnership mean
Insiders told Mid-Day that Universal’s minority acquisition is aimed at enhancing Excel’s production capabilities and bringing “big ideas” to life with a broader global reach. “Accel is looking to expand its production scale going forward,” a source shared. “There are big ideas in the pipeline.”
Excel Entertainment’s 2025 slate included a diverse mix of films 120 brave, ground Zero, Superboys of Malegaonand digital release songs of heavenAlthough these projects received critical acclaim, many did not achieve major box-office success – prompting strategic reassessment and expansion efforts through such partnerships,
The collaboration follows the trend of major studios investing in Indian entertainment. Earlier, the acquisition of 50% stake in Dharma Productions by Adar Poonawala had demonstrated international interest in India’s film powerhouse.
For Akhtar and Sidhwani – whose banner has supported films like Dil Chahta Hai, Donand acclaimed web series (Inside Edge, Mirzapur) – the Universal tie-up underlines a visionary approach to storytelling that blends Indian narrative with global ambitions. This collaboration could also open up new opportunities for cross-border co-productions and innovative cinematic ventures that would appeal to both domestic and international audiences.
