Khaitan, AZB Advised On Universal Music's Acquisition Of Minority Stake In Excel Entertainment

Khaitan, AZB Advised On Universal Music’s Acquisition Of Minority Stake In Excel Entertainment

January 9, 2026

Khaitan & Co along with AZB & Partners advise on Universal Music Group’s acquisition of 30% stake in Excel Entertainment.

Universal Music Group has acquired a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, the Indian film and content production house founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The transaction marks a strategic partnership between Excel Entertainment and Universal Music Group, aimed at expanding collaboration across films, series, music, and emerging content formats in India.

Khaitan & Co advised Excel Entertainment and its founders, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, on the transaction. The Khaitan deal team comprised Haigreve Khaitan, Nayantara Kutty, Bhavya Bhankharia, Nikhil Shahi and Pavitra Khaitan, with assistance from Tanu Banerjee and Ishan Johri on media and entertainment aspects, and Atul Pandey and Hirak Mukhopadhyay on regulatory matters.

AZB advised Universal Music Group on its investment.

Atul Pandey, Bhavya Bhankharia, Haigreve Khaitan, Hirak Mukhopadhyay, Ishan Johri, Nayantara Kutty, Nikhil Shahi, Pavitra Khaitan, Tanu Bannerjee

Media & Entertainment

Mergers & Acquisitions

The deal reporting on this platform is based on the information received from law firms, and therefore, some details may be missing/incomplete. If your firm has not been credited for this deal, write to us at chanchal.makhija@thegreymatter.co.in mentioning your firm’s name, lawyers involved (including designation) and client represented.