Excel Entertainment and UMG Forge Strategic Partnership; CM Devendra Fadnavis Attends the Event

This is being considered one of the most significant announcements of the year for the Indian entertainment industry. Universal Music Group (UMG) and Excel Entertainment have announced a historic partnership aimed at taking Indian music and storytelling to a global audience. The major announcement was made on Monday during a special event held in Mumbai. Present at the occasion were Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group India Devraj Sanyal, and veteran lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar, among several other key figures associated with the agreement.

What the Chief Minister Said

At the event, the Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the deal, stating that the seeds of this agreement were sown during the WAVES Summit 2025. Sharing a congratulatory message on social media, he wrote that the government has always believed in enabling creativity, and a creative powerhouse like Mumbai is the rightful place for such an agreement.

View this post on Instagram

CM Fadnavis said that a global company like Universal Music Group strengthening its presence in India shows that India’s creative economy has come of age on the global stage. He added that Mumbai is not just participating in the global media ecosystem but shaping it. He further stated that the Maharashtra government is committed to ensuring that Mumbai doesn’t just compete, but leads. According to him, global investors look for five key factors while choosing a destination—talent, policy stability, respect for intellectual property, speed of execution, and a strong ecosystem—and Mumbai and Maharashtra meet all these benchmarks. Concluding his statement, he said, “Mumbai has always told India’s stories to the world, and now it is ready to tell the world’s stories.”

What Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani Said

Speaking on the occasion, Farhan Akhtar said that cinema is an emotional experience and music is its soul. Music not only announces the arrival of a story but also stays alive in memories for years.

Ritesh Sidhwani emphasized that when stories are local, they become global. He said that UMG’s international reach combined with Excel’s creative vision will help take Indian culture, music, and cinema to audiences worldwide.

The founders of Excel Entertainment further said that the Indian entertainment industry is growing rapidly, and this is the right time to build strong global partnerships. They expressed happiness about joining hands with UMG and called it a creative and transformative step that will open new opportunities for artists and their work across music, films, and new formats, with the aim of taking Indian cultural stories to the world.

Statement from UMI: Universal Music India stated that under the agreement, Excel Entertainment has been valued at ₹2,400 crore (approximately €25.7 crore), with UMI becoming a significant minority shareholder with a 30 per cent stake. This partnership lays the foundation for a new strategic alliance between UMI and Excel, accelerating Excel’s growth and strengthening UMI’s position in the key Indian market.

Devraj Sanyal and Adam Granite Speak

Devraj Sanyal, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music India and South Asia, and Senior Vice President of Strategy for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, will join the Board of Directors of Excel Entertainment as part of the agreement. Meanwhile, Excel’s founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar will continue to drive the company’s creative direction and content decisions.

View this post on Instagram

Adam Granite, CEO of Universal Music Group for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, said that the announcement further strengthens UMG’s position in India, which is a dynamic and strategically important music market for the group globally.

What Is the Agreement?

Universal Music India, a part of Universal Music Group, has signed an agreement with India’s leading film and digital content company Excel Entertainment. Under the deal, Excel has been valued at ₹2,400 crore, with UMI acquiring a 30 per cent stake. This partnership will help expand Excel’s operations while further strengthening UMI’s presence in India.

As per the agreement, UMG will receive global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks created for projects owned or controlled by Excel. The partnership also includes the launch of a dedicated Excel music label, which will be globally distributed by UMG. Additionally, Universal Music Publishing Group has been appointed as Excel Entertainment’s exclusive music publishing partner.

This collaboration will provide new opportunities for existing UMG and UMI artists and creators to work on Excel’s upcoming films and digital projects, strengthening the bond between music and storytelling.

A Historic Step for Indian Entertainment

This deal is being seen as a landmark moment for the Indian entertainment industry. It is expected to have a significant impact on the music industry, films, and OTT series. The partnership will expand the reach of Indian entertainment and enhance its global presence.

Excel Entertainment, founded in 1999 by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, has earned over 60 awards and accolades. Since its blockbuster debut Dil Chahta Hai, the studio has produced more than 40 films and original screenplays. Under its banner, acclaimed projects like Mirzapur, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Fukrey, Don, and Made in Heaven have been created.

FAQs