Universal Studios has taken a minority stake in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, while the Indian banner continues to hold the larger share, Mid-Day reports. The strategic tie-up signals a push to scale up production ambitions and take Indian storytelling to a wider global audience.
What the deal means for Excel and Universal
The minority investment by Universal is aimed at expanding Excel’s production capacity and enabling larger-scale projects. Insiders say the partnership is about powering “big ideas” with international reach — from bigger budgets and marketing muscle to access to global distribution networks and co-production expertise.
For Excel, a studio known for titles that range from cult favourites to streaming hits, this is a chance to marry homegrown storytelling with the infrastructure of a Hollywood major. For Universal, it is another step into a market that’s rapidly growing in both box-office potential and streaming viewership.
How this could change production and distribution
- Bigger budgets: Larger investments can translate into higher production values and ambitious filmmaking choices.
- Global distribution: Universal’s global reach can open more international theatrical windows and festival circuits for Indian projects.
- Co-productions and IP development: Collaborations could result in films and series designed to appeal to both domestic and international audiences.
- Technical and marketing support: Access to advanced post-production facilities, international talent networks, and large-scale promotional campaigns.
Where Excel stands now: the recent slate and the rethink
Excel’s 2025 slate included films such as 120 Bahadur, Ground Zero, Superboys of Malegaon and the digital title Songs of Paradise. Many of these projects won critical praise and helped build Excel’s reputation for creative risk-taking, even if a few did not translate into blockbuster box-office returns. That mixed performance appears to have prompted a strategic reassessment — and the Universal partnership looks like a move to recalibrate ambitions on a larger canvas.
The wider trend: global studios eyeing Indian entertainment
This deal is part of a broader pattern of international players investing in Indian film houses and talent. Recent high-profile moves — such as the partial acquisition of Dharma Productions — show that global money and strategic partnerships are becoming common as studios chase India’s booming content market. The Universal-Excel tie-up reinforces the idea that Indian stories have both domestic strength and international potential.
What this could mean for filmmakers, talent and audiences
- More cross-border opportunities: Directors, writers and actors may find easier pathways into co-productions, international shoots and collaborations.
- New kinds of content: Expect projects that blend Indian sensibilities with global genres — action thrillers, high-concept dramas, and franchise-friendly IPs.
- Streaming and theatrical strategy: Studios may design release plans that leverage both global streaming platforms and traditional theatrical windows to maximize reach.
- Talent competition and retention: Bigger budgets and international exposure could help retain top Indian talent and attract global names to Indian projects.
What to watch next
Keep an eye on Excel’s upcoming announcements and any co-produced slates that explicitly list international partners. Projects moving from idea stage to larger-budget productions will be the first real test of how this partnership changes the creative and commercial calculus. Also watch whether this spurs other Hollywood studios to deepen ties with Indian banners.
For Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani — whose banner has backed landmark films like Dil Chahta Hai and Don, as well as acclaimed series such as Inside Edge and Mirzapur — the Universal tie-up looks like the next logical step: a bet on scaling up storytelling without losing the distinctly Indian voice that made Excel a household name.