Jio Studios Acquires Oscar-Winning Sikhya Entertainment in Rs 150 Crore Deal

Reliance Jio Studios has acquired a majority 50.1% stake in the acclaimed production house Sikhya Entertainment for Rs 150 crore. The deal brings together Jio Studios' scale and distribution with Sikhya's award-winning storytelling legacy, which includes Oscar-winning documentaries. The partnership aims to co-create films and series for audiences in India and worldwide. Sikhya Entertainment, founded by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, is renowned for films like 'The Lunchbox' and 'Masaan'.

Key Points: Jio Studios Buys Majority Stake in Sikhya Entertainment

  • Jio Studios acquires 50.1% stake
  • Deal valued at Rs 150 crore
  • Sikhya is an Oscar & National Award winner
  • Aims to co-create films for global audiences
  • Consolidates Jio's media dominance
4 min read

Reliance Jio Studios acquires 50.1% stake in Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment

Reliance's Jio Studios acquires a 50.1% stake in Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment for Rs 150 crore to co-create global content.

"This association reflects our long-term belief in partnering with creators who combine creative excellence with cultural authenticity. - Jyoti Deshpande"

Mumbai, February 3

Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, on February 2, 2026, acquired 50.1 per cent equity stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited, one of the most globally recognized and awarded production houses in India, through a combination of primary and secondary transactions, for a total cash consideration of Rs 150 crore.

This acquisition enables Jio Studios, the media and content arm of RIL, to further consolidate its pre-eminent position in the media and entertainment sector.

Jio Studios has played a significant role in India's entertainment ecosystem, connecting audiences globally and backing films with strong creative and commercial conviction.

It has demonstrated a consistent ability to identify defining stories and build them for large audiences, producing landmark titles such as the highest grossing Indian film 'Dhurandhar', 'Laapataa Ladies', and the 'Stree' franchise, among others, emerging as a key force in the country's evolving content economy.

The collaboration of Jio Studios with SEPL, to co-create films and series for audiences in India and worldwide, brings together Jio Studios' scale, reach, focus on building enduring intellectual property, nurturing creator-led ecosystems and long-term vision with SEPL's proven track record of globally resonant, culturally rooted storytelling.

Founded by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Sikhya Entertainment has, over the past decade, redefined what Indian storytelling can achieve on the world stage.

Sikhya is the only Indian production house to have won both an Academy Award and multiple National Film Awards, a distinction that underscores its rare global and domestic impact.

Its Academy Award wins include 'Period. End of Sentence.' (Best Documentary Short Subject) and 'The Elephant Whisperers' (Best Documentary Short Film), while its National Film Award - winning films include 'Masaan', (Hindi), 'Soorarai Pottru' (Tamil) and 'Kathal' (Hindi), alongside recognition across major Indian and international platforms.

Equally central to Sikhya's identity has been its commitment to discovering and championing new talent, from debut and early-career filmmakers to emerging writers and performance-driven storytelling, while creating defining moments for some of India's most celebrated actors.

Its multilingual slate includes 'The Lunchbox', 'Masaan', 'Pagglait', 'Kathal' and 'Kill', among others.

Speaking on the partnership, Jyoti Deshpande, President, Jio Studios (Media and Content Business, RIL), said, "Sikhya Entertainment has consistently delivered stories that are deeply Indian yet resonate globally. This association reflects our long-term belief in partnering with creators who combine creative excellence with cultural authenticity. Over the last seven years, Jio Studios has built a strong track record of producing and championing some of the most successful box office winners and critically acclaimed films alike, from the most recent phenomenon Dhurandhar to Stree 2 and Laapataa Ladies which went all the way to the Oscars. I have known Guneet for a very long time and really admire her fire and tenacity. We are delighted to partner with Guneet, Achin and the Sikhya Entertainment team and by combining their distinctive storytelling legacy with Jio Studios' scale, distribution, creative prowess and global ambition, we aim to give Indian stories the platform and pathways to reach audiences around the world."

Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Sikhya Entertainment, shared, "We have always believed that stories have the power to connect people across cultures, geographies, and languages. At the heart of Sikhya's work is a deep belief in storytelling and in the people who bring these stories to life. Over the past decade, we have collaborated with bold new directors, writers, actors, and exceptional creative teams who continue to push the boundaries of independent cinema with honesty and ambition. For independent producers like us, driven by dreams and the audacity to turn those ideas into reality, this journey has been deeply rewarding. Partnering with Jio Studios allows us to take these stories to audiences around the world, while empowering us to champion emerging talent from across the country, where stories exist in every fabric and every thread. Jyoti Deshpande's commitment to innovation and her instinct for bold ideas and creative risk make this partnership especially exciting. Together, we celebrate a Rising India, confident in its voice, unapologetic in its stories, and ready to shape the next chapter of cinema," in the press note.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
A big corporate acquiring a beloved indie studio always makes me a bit nervous. I hope Jio doesn't dilute Sikhya's unique voice and risk-taking spirit in pursuit of pure commercial success. Their Oscar-winning documentaries were powerful because they were independent.
R
Rohit P
Reliance is building an entertainment empire. First telecom, then retail, now content. Smart move to buy credibility and award-winning talent. Hope this means more high-quality Indian content on JioCinema for us subscribers!
G
Guneet M
As a film student in Mumbai, this gives me hope. Sikhya has always backed new talent. If this partnership means more funding for fresh directors and writers from small towns, it could revolutionize our industry. More 'Soorarai Pottru' stories, please!
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this consolidation. From an outside perspective, it seems like a strategic fit. Sikhya gets scale, Jio gets prestige and a pipeline of award-worthy content. The key will be preserving creative independence.
K
Karthik V
Rs 150 crore for a majority stake in an Oscar-winning studio? That's a bargain for Reliance! This shows the value of our creative talent. Proud to see Indian storytelling being recognized as a serious business asset on the world stage. Jai ho!

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