Excel Entertainment has made a decisive play to turn one of its biggest creative strengths into a standalone business. After years of shaping some of Hindi cinema’s most enduring soundtracks, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s banner has officially launched Excel Music, a dedicated label that pushes the company’s storytelling ambitions beyond films and firmly into the music space.
The new venture arrives with heavyweight backing. Excel Music has been launched by Excel Entertainment with Universal Music Group on board as a strategic shareholder as well as its marketing and distribution partner. That gives the label both industry muscle and a global pipeline as it begins building a catalogue that will include original film soundtracks, scores, and music from Excel Entertainment’s own slate as well as projects from other filmmakers and production houses across India.
Excel Music Begins With Mirzapur: The Movie
Excel Music’s first release is already tied to a title with substantial fan anticipation. The label will debut with the soundtrack album of Mirzapur: The Movie, which is releasing in cinemas on September 4, 2026. The album’s lead song features Dhanda, one of the biggest names in the Haryanvi music industry, and marks his much-awaited Bollywood debut. The track is set to release this week.
That starting point feels especially on-brand for a company whose identity has long been shaped by music that lingers far beyond a film’s runtime. From the cool immediacy of Dil Chahta Hai to the lasting recall of Lakshya, Rock On!!, Karthik Calling Karthik, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, Baar Baar Dekho, Raees, and Gully Boy, Excel’s musical choices have often carried the emotional afterlife of its films. Excel Music now gives that instinct a dedicated home and a larger commercial canvas.
Founders And Universal Music Group On The New Venture
In the official announcement, founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar said, “Music has always held a special place in our creative journey. Launching Excel Music is a natural extension of that passion, and we’re excited about the possibilities it brings. We look forward to collaborating with some of the finest creative talent and creating music that resonates with audiences across generations.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Universal Music Group, said, “Excel Entertainment has shaped contemporary Hindi cinema for over two decades through storytelling that has resonated across generations. As strategic partners in the company we are delighted to partner with Excel on the launch of Excel Music and help build a distinctive destination for exceptional music across genres. Leveraging Universal Music’s global artist roster, iconic catalogue, and world class marketing and distribution capabilities, we look forward to taking Excel Music to audiences across India and around the world.”
The launch of Excel Music signals a sharper, more expansive next step for Excel Entertainment, one that turns a defining part of its cinematic legacy into a platform designed to travel wider, move faster, and speak to audiences beyond the boundaries of the screen.
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