Universal Music Acquires 30% Stake in India’s Excel Entertainment

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.”