NewKerala.com

Universal Music Invests ₹2,400 Cr in Excel, Fadnavis Credits PM Modi's Vision

Universal Music India has acquired a significant stake in Excel Entertainment, valuing the studio at ₹2,400 crore. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating the deal's seeds were sown at the WAVES Summit 2025. He emphasized that this investment signals the maturity of India's creative economy and positions Mumbai as a shaper of the global media landscape. The CM also outlined Maharashtra's advantages for global investors, including policy stability and respect for intellectual property.

Key Points: Universal Music Buys Stake in Excel Entertainment for ₹2,400 Crore

  • Universal Music buys 30% stake in Excel
  • Deal values Excel at ₹2,400 crore
  • Fadnavis credits PM Modi's WAVES Summit
  • Mumbai positioned as global media hub
  • Maharashtra touts policy stability for investors
2 min read

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis credits PM Modi for a landmark collaboration in the creative world

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis credits PM Modi's WAVES Summit for the landmark deal, highlighting Mumbai's rise in the global creative economy.

"It says India's creative economy has come of age and that Mumbai is not just participating in the global media ecosystem, it is shaping it. - Devendra Fadnavis"

Mumbai, Jan 5

In a landmark move for the entertainment industry, Universal Music India has acquired a 30 per cent equity stake in film and digital content studio Excel Entertainment, valuing Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's company at Rs 2,400 crore.

The announcement was made during an event in Mumbai on Monday, in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present.

Elated about the announcement, the Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sowing the seed for the transaction during the WAVES Summit 2025.

The CM penned a congratulatory tweet that read, "This Government has always believed that its role is to enable creativity, and a creative powerhouse like Mumbai is the rightful place for such an important agreement. Guided by the leadership of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji, who set this mission in motion through last year's WAVES summit, is where the seeds of this transaction were first sown. Thank you, Hon. Modi Ji, for your timeless vision in leading this creative revolution. (sic)"

Reflecting on how the move will help strengthen India's foothold in the global market, making Mumbai a major player in the media ecosystem, he added, "Universal Music Group, a global leader in music and intellectual property, choosing to deepen its engagement in India through Excel Entertainment, a creator-led, homegrown studio based in Mumbai, sends a powerful signal. It says India's creative economy has come of age and that Mumbai is not just participating in the global media ecosystem, it is shaping it."

The Chief Minister stated that their government is determined to ensure that Mumbai doesn't just compete, it leads.

Talking about what makes Maharashtra a perfect pick for global investors, the CM pointed out, "Global companies look for five things while choosing to invest: talent, policy stability, respect for Intellectual Property, speed of execution, and a complete ecosystem. Mumbai and Maharashtra offer all five, supported by the Government of Maharashtra's progressive policies, strong infrastructure, ease of doing business, skill development, and institutional support for intellectual property."

"This government's mission is to ensure that your hard work meets world-class opportunity. Mumbai has always told India's stories; now it is ready to tell the world's stories," CM Fadnavis shared.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the deal is great, I'm not sure why the CM is crediting the PM so directly. Excel Entertainment and Universal are private companies making a business decision. The government's role is to create a good environment, which they did, but the credit should primarily go to Farhan, Ritesh, and their team for building such a valuable company.
R
Rohit P
Rs 2,400 crore valuation! That's massive. Excel has produced some of my favorite films. This investment will help them create even bigger and better content for global audiences. Hope this means more opportunities for technicians and artists across India, not just Mumbai.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the digital media space, this is very encouraging. The point about policy stability and IP respect is key for foreign investors. If this deal attracts more global capital into our creative sectors, it will be a big win for the entire ecosystem. More power to Indian storytelling!
K
Karthik V
Good move. But the government must ensure that the benefits of such deals trickle down. We need robust training programs and infrastructure outside Mumbai as well—in places like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Let's build multiple creative hubs across Bharat.
M
Meera T
"Mumbai is ready to tell the world's stories" – I love that line! Our films and music already have a huge international fanbase. With this kind of backing, we can truly compete with Hollywood and other global content powerhouses. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50