Universal Music Group buys 30% stake in Excel | Indian Movie News
Universal Music Group (UMG) has made a strategic investment in the Indian leisure industry by buying a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, one of Bollywood’s outstanding manufacturing homes co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The deal values Excel Entertainment at Rs 2,400 crores (around USD $267 million) and marks a important partnership between the global music giant and an Indian content studio.
The definitive settlement, confirmed on January 5, won’t only make Universal Music India (UMI) a major minority shareholder in Excel but will also develop collaboration across music, movie and digital content. As half of the association, UMG will secure global distribution rights for all future authentic soundtracks created for tasks owned or managed by Excel.
The investment goes past equity acquisition. Under the pact, a devoted Excel music label will likely be launched, with distribution dealt with by Universal Music worldwide. Additionally, Universal Music Publishing Group will serve as the exclusive music publishing accomplice for Excel’s content, broadening the attain of Indian movie music and content on global platforms.
In a assertion, Devraj Sanyal, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music India & South Asia, highlighted the chance forward: “The Indian film scene presents a hugely exciting opportunity for music and the music-led entertainment business, and Excel is the perfect partner for us to work with going forward.”
This investment also secures a seat on Excel Entertainment’s board for Sanyal, while Akhtar and Sidhwani will continue to retain inventive control and oversee direction and content choices.
Commenting on the alliance, Excel founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar said: “India’s entertainment landscape continues to grow from strength to strength, and this is the perfect moment to build meaningful global collaborations. We’re excited to partner with UMG in what we believe will be a truly creative and transformative alliance — one that unlocks fresh opportunities for artists and repertoire across music, film, and emerging formats. Together, we aim to take culturally rooted stories to the world.”
Vishal Ramchandani, CEO of Excel Entertainment, described the tie-up as a key phase in evolving Excel into a global creative studio. “This partnership with UMG marks a pivotal step in our journey to broaden creative opportunities and tell Indian stories with a global lens.”
Excel Entertainment, established in 1999, has produced a host of profitable movies and digital collection, including Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Gully Boy, Inside Edge and Mirzapur. The studio’s monitor file in movie and streaming content has positioned it as a main inventive outfit in India’s leisure space.
Also Read: Universal Studios invests in Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment to scale up Indian productions: Report
Universal Music Group buys 30% stake in Excel | Watch Online Free
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