Universal Music Group (UMG) has made a strategic investment in the Indian entertainment industry by acquiring 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, one of the leading production houses of Bollywood, co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The deal values Excel Entertainment at Rs 2,400 crore (about US$267 million) and marks a significant partnership between a global music giant and an Indian content studio.
Universal Music Group buys 30% stake in Excel Entertainment worth Rs 2,400 crore
The definitive agreement, confirmed on January 5, will not only make Universal Music India (UMI) a major minority shareholder in Excel, but also expand the collaboration across music, film and digital content. As part of the arrangement, UMG will secure global distribution rights to all future original soundtracks created for projects owned or controlled by Excel.
Investment goes beyond equity acquisition. Under the agreement, a dedicated Excel Music label will be launched, which will be distributed worldwide by Universal Music. Additionally, Universal Music Publishing Group will serve as the exclusive music publishing partner for Excel’s content, expanding the reach of Indian film music and content across global platforms.
In a statement, Devraj Sanyal, president and CEO of Universal Music India and South Asia, highlighted the opportunity ahead: “The Indian film landscape presents an extremely exciting opportunity for the music and music-based entertainment business, and Excel is an ideal partner for us going forward.”
The investment also secures a seat on the board of Excel Entertainment for Sanyal, while Akhtar and Sidhwani will continue to retain creative control and oversee direction and content decisions.
Commenting on the collaboration, Accel founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar said: “India’s entertainment landscape continues to grow from strength to strength, and this is the right time to create meaningful global collaborations. We are excited to partner with UMG in what we believe will be a truly creative and transformational alliance – opening up new opportunities for artists and performances across music, film and emerging formats. Together, we aim to take culturally rooted stories to the world.”
Vishal Ramchandani, CEO, Excel Entertainment, described the collaboration as an important step in Excel’s evolution into a global creative studio. “This partnership with UMG is an important step in our journey to broaden creative opportunities and tell Indian stories from a global perspective.”
Excel Entertainment, founded in 1999, has produced a number of successful films and digital series Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Gully BoyInside Edge and Mirzapur. The studio’s track record in film and streaming content has established it as a leading creative organization in India’s entertainment sector.
