


(Photo Credit: Instagram @excelmovies)
Universal Music Acquires 30% Stake in India’s Excel Entertainment
The Mumbai based firm is valued at $267 million
Universal Music India has secured a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, one of Bollywood’s leading production houses, as per Variety.
The deal:
Under the partnership, Universal Music Group (UMG) gains global distribution for all future original soundtracks from Excel’s projects.
UMG will launch a dedicated, globally distributed Excel music label.
Universal Music Publishing becomes Excel’s exclusive music publishing partner.
Variety is also reporting that the partnership creates opportunities for UMG artists to feature in future Excel productions.
Devraj Sanyal, chairman and CEO of Universal Music India and South Asia and senior VP of strategy for Africa, Middle East and Asia, will join Excel Entertainment’s board of directors.
Why it matters:
The deal strengthens UMG’s position in India.
Original soundtracks are integral to the country’s growing music market.
Backstory:
Excel was founded in 1999 by producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.
It’s a major player in Indian cinema and streaming content.
Sidhwani and Akhtar will continue to oversee Excel’s creative direction and content decisions.
What they said:
Sidhwani and Akhtar, in a joint statement: “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.”
Universal Music India has secured a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, one of Bollywood’s leading production houses, as per Variety.
The deal:
Under the partnership, Universal Music Group (UMG) gains global distribution for all future original soundtracks from Excel’s projects.
UMG will launch a dedicated, globally distributed Excel music label.
Universal Music Publishing becomes Excel’s exclusive music publishing partner.
Variety is also reporting that the partnership creates opportunities for UMG artists to feature in future Excel productions.
Devraj Sanyal, chairman and CEO of Universal Music India and South Asia and senior VP of strategy for Africa, Middle East and Asia, will join Excel Entertainment’s board of directors.
Why it matters:
The deal strengthens UMG’s position in India.
Original soundtracks are integral to the country’s growing music market.
Backstory:
Excel was founded in 1999 by producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.
It’s a major player in Indian cinema and streaming content.
Sidhwani and Akhtar will continue to oversee Excel’s creative direction and content decisions.
What they said:
Sidhwani and Akhtar, in a joint statement: “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.”
Universal Music India has secured a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, one of Bollywood’s leading production houses, as per Variety.
The deal:
Under the partnership, Universal Music Group (UMG) gains global distribution for all future original soundtracks from Excel’s projects.
UMG will launch a dedicated, globally distributed Excel music label.
Universal Music Publishing becomes Excel’s exclusive music publishing partner.
Variety is also reporting that the partnership creates opportunities for UMG artists to feature in future Excel productions.
Devraj Sanyal, chairman and CEO of Universal Music India and South Asia and senior VP of strategy for Africa, Middle East and Asia, will join Excel Entertainment’s board of directors.
Why it matters:
The deal strengthens UMG’s position in India.
Original soundtracks are integral to the country’s growing music market.
Backstory:
Excel was founded in 1999 by producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.
It’s a major player in Indian cinema and streaming content.
Sidhwani and Akhtar will continue to oversee Excel’s creative direction and content decisions.
What they said:
Sidhwani and Akhtar, in a joint statement: “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.”
Universal Music India
Excel Entertainment
Devraj Sanyal
Ritesh Sidhwani
Farhan Akhtar
Universal Music Group (UMG)
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG)
Major Labels Expanding Into Asia
Film Studio-Label Partnerships
Increased Investment In Indian Music Market
Indian Music Market Expansion
Music Business Deals
Bridging Asian and Global Music Markets
Joint Ventures
Production Company Deals
Film Soundtracks
Music Publishing
Executive Appointments
Bollywood Investment
India
Mumbai, IN
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This story was written with information from Variety.
We covered it because it’s news of a significant international music partnership.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles

Deals & Signings
Feb 9, 2026
1 min read
Create Music Group Invests $300 Million in Nettwerk Management Buyout
Nettwerk will be acquiring its management business from its current investors

Deals & Signings
Feb 9, 2026
1 min read
Sketch Music Partners with BMG in New Global Recordings Deal
The collab seeks to “accelerate Sketch’s digital-first strategy”

Deals & Signings
Feb 6, 2026
1 min read
Avex Music Taps The Orchard for Global Distribution
The first release will be from Justin Bieber’s longtime backing band

Create Music Group Invests $300 Million in Nettwerk Management Buyout
Nettwerk will be acquiring its management business from its current investors

Harry Levin
Deals
Feb 9, 2026

Sketch Music Partners with BMG in New Global Recordings Deal
The collab seeks to “accelerate Sketch’s digital-first strategy”

Rod Yates
Deals
Feb 9, 2026

Avex Music Taps The Orchard for Global Distribution
The first release will be from Justin Bieber’s longtime backing band

Rod Yates
Deals
Feb 6, 2026

Indie Streaming Platform Vocana Partners with Symphonic
The move signals another step in the platform’s move out of beta

Rod Yates
Deals
Feb 5, 2026

B2B Music Streamer Soundtrack Acquires Tunify and Ambie
Soundtrack’s clientele includes Uniqlo, Four Seasons, and more

Rod Yates
Deals
Feb 5, 2026

Fresh Ink: Kanye West Partners With gamma., Payday Music Publishing Adds Dombresky & Cassian
Plus other signings at CAA, Red Light Management & more

James Cullen
Deals
Feb 4, 2026





