Universal Music invests $80 million in Bollywood production company

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Universal Music Group is putting $80 million into Excel Entertainment, a leading Bollywood production company, in exchange for a share of ownership.

Universal Music India, part of Universal Music Group, is buying a 30% stake in a film studio based in Mumbai. The companies announced on Monday that they will collaborate on future movies, TV shows, music, and new types of entertainment.

Universal Music is expanding its involvement with Indian films, starting with collaborations with Excel Entertainment. This partnership gives Universal Music global distribution rights for all original soundtracks from Excel’s future projects. The companies also plan to create a new music label connected to Excel, featuring artists from both Universal Music and Universal Music India in Excel’s films and other content.

The investment underscores the rapid growth in the Indian entertainment industry.

India is the 15th-largest recorded-music market globally.

Excel Entertainment was started in 1999 by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. Since then, they’ve produced more than 40 films and TV series, including well-known titles like “Dil Chahta Hai,” “Don,” and “Talaash.” The company is now worth around $290 million.

Sidhwani and Akhtar released a joint statement saying that India’s entertainment industry is thriving, making it an ideal time to partner with international creators. Their goal is to share stories with strong cultural connections with a global audience.

Founded in 1996 and with offices in the Netherlands and Santa Monica, Universal Music Group is one of the world’s largest music companies. It represents popular artists like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish and is currently valued at approximately $48 billion, with each share costing around $25.80.

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2026-01-06 00:31