Universal Studios is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in Excel Entertainment, the Bollywood production company co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. This could see a Hollywood giant take a significant share in one of India’s most prominent film production houses.
This development comes just weeks after Adar Poonawalla’s Serene Productions acquired a 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
Universal Studios To By 50% Shares In Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment?
According to media reports, sources claim that Universal is considering purchasing anywhere from a minority stake to as much as 50% in Excel Entertainment. Although these discussions are still in the early stages, the news has already stirred excitement in the industry.
Hollywood studios are increasingly interested in the expanding Indian film market. Bollywood’s influence is growing globally, and big players like Universal are eager to tap into this potential.
One senior executive from a media fund noted that many production houses are seeking funding to scale up their operations, particularly to produce more high-budget films. This requires a significant capital infusion.
Is Farhan Akhtar Following The Footsteps Of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions?
This comes after the Rs 1,000 crore investment made by Poonawalla’s Serene Productions in Dharma Productions, which aimed to boost the company’s financial strength. As film production costs continue to rise, many production houses are finding it more challenging to scale up without external investments.
While Excel is smaller compared to industry giants like Dharma Productions, Yash Raj Films, T-Series, and Viacom18, it has still made a notable impact on Bollywood. The company reported Rs 44 crore in revenue for FY23 and has several highly anticipated projects lined up, including Don 3, Ground Zero, Agni, and Yudhra. Excel also partnered with Amazon Prime Video to release a series of films, cementing its position in the digital space.
Universal Studios, part of Comcast’s NBCUniversal division, has been eyeing India for some time. The company previously tried to enter the Indian market through a partnership with Reliance ADA Group for a Rs 5,000 crore theme park, but that deal fell through. Now, Universal is looking to increase its presence in the Indian film industry, signalling its growing commitment to the market.
(Also read: After Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Farhan Akhtar To Sell The Shares Of Excel Entertainment? Here’s What We Know)
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