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- Excel Entertainment
Excel Entertainment Revenue, Valuation, Funding & Investors
Excel Entertainment is valued at $290M as of January 2026, a 18.1x multiple on its last reported $16M revenue.
Last Excel Entertainment valuation
$290M
Secondary · Jan 2026
Last Excel Entertainment funding round
$79M
Strategic investment · Jan 2026
Excel Entertainment revenue
$16M
Secondary · Jan 2026
Key investors in Excel Entertainment
Universal Music
Universal Music India Pvt Ltd
About Excel Entertainment
Excel Entertainment is a Mumbai-based film production company founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The studio produces Hindi films and web series blending commercial appeal with strong storytelling, including hits like Dil Chahta Hai, the Don franchise, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and the Amazon Prime series Mirzapur.
Founded
1999
HQ
Website
Status
Privately held
Customer focus
B2B
Revenue model
Services
Revenue
$16M (Jan 2026)
Valuation
$290M (Jan 2026)
Sectors
Excel Entertainment Valuation
Excel Entertainment is currently valued at $290M, based on its secondary sale in January 2026.
The $80M round included Universal Music.
Excel Entertainment's valuation has grown 1.1x from $257M at its strategic investment round in January 2026 to $290M in January 2026, across 2 priced rounds.
Excel Entertainment valuation by funding round
Revenue multiple| Date | Stage | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Secondary | $290M | 18.1x |
| Jan 2026 | Strategic investment | $257M | - |
Excel Entertainment Revenue
Excel Entertainment's latest recorded revenue is $16M, as of its secondary sale in January 2026. At a $290M valuation, that implies a 18.1x revenue multiple.
Excel Entertainment revenue by funding round
| Date | Revenue * | Valuation | Revenue Multiple | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | $16M | $290M | 18.1x | Secondary |
* Revenue (or ARR) figures are the values recorded alongside each funding round. Typically run-rate revenue at the time of the deal, or a reported LTM (last 12 months) revenue.
Excel Entertainment Funding History
Excel Entertainment has raised a total of $79M across 1 funding round, plus 1 secondary share sale.
Excel Entertainment funding rounds
| Date | Stage | Investors | Raised | Valuation | Deal Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Secondary | Universal Music | $80M | $290M | Excel Entertainment is one of India's largest Bollywood production companies, founded in 1999 by producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. The company has produced over 40 films and scripted shows, including notable titles such as "Dil Chahta Hai," "Don," and "Talaash." In January 2026, Universal Music Group invested $80 million to acquire a 30% equity stake in Excel Entertainment. At the time of the transaction, Excel was valued at approximately $290 million. Through the investment, Universal Music India will gain global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks from Excel-produced or owned projects. The companies plan to collaborate on forthcoming films, series, music, and emerging formats, with future plans to launch an Excel-linked music label featuring Universal Music India artists in Excel productions. The investment reflects the expanding opportunities in India's entertainment sector, with India representing the 15th-largest recorded-music market globally. The deal represents Universal Music Group's strategic expansion into India's local film industry while positioning Excel for international distribution and collaboration. |
| Jan 2026 | Strategic investment | Universal Music India Pvt Ltd (lead) | $79M | $257M | Excel Entertainment is a Mumbai-based film and digital content studio founded in 1999 by producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. The company has produced over 40 films and scripted shows, with notable titles including "Dil Chahta Hai," "Don," and "Talaash." Excel has established itself as a leader in Indian cinema and original digital content, with a strong track record in music-focused projects including musical dramas, a popular and internationally renowned genre in the Indian market. On January 5, 2026, Universal Music India (a division of Universal Music Group) announced a definitive agreement to acquire a 30% equity stake in Excel Entertainment, valuing the company at ₹2,400 crores (approximately €257 million or $290 million USD). Universal Music India invested $80 million for this minority stake. As part of the strategic partnership, Universal Music India will receive global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks attached to projects produced or owned by Excel, and the two companies plan to launch an Excel-linked music label. Devraj Sanyal, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music India & South Asia, will serve on Excel Entertainment's Board of Directors under the agreement. Excel's founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar will continue to direct creative and content decisions. The partnership positions UMG to contribute from the earliest stages of Excel's future projects and reflects UMG's strategic focus on the Indian entertainment market, where original soundtracks remain central to the fast-growing music industry. The investment underscores the rapid growth in India's entertainment sector, with India currently the 15th-largest recorded-music market globally. |
Who has invested in Excel Entertainment?
2 investors have backed Excel Entertainment across its funding rounds, including Universal Music and Universal Music India Pvt Ltd.
Lead investors include Universal Music India Pvt Ltd.
Excel Entertainment Investors
| Investor | HQ | Rounds | Role | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Benchmark 350K+ Funding Rounds and Disclosed VC Valuation Multiples
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Start Free TrialExcel Entertainment Competitors
Excel Entertainment competitors include listed companies like SOOP, Secuoya Grupo, Hengxin Shambala Culture and iHeartMedia, and private ones like Embright Infotech and Brut.
| Company | HQ | Status | Revenue | EBITDA | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publicly listed | $340M | $107M | $290M | - | ||
| Private | - | - | $283M | - | ||
| Publicly listed | $142M | $67M | $281M | - | ||
| Publicly listed | $58M | ($44M) | $307M | - | ||
| Private | - | - | $261M | - | ||
| Publicly listed | $3.9B | $289M | $325M | 1.5x |
Excel Entertainment Public Comps
Excel Entertainment is still privately-owned, but its public comps include SOOP, Secuoya Grupo, Hengxin Shambala Culture, iHeartMedia, Falcons Beyond Global, Alliance Entertainment, WildBrain, KidariStudio, Inkeverse Group and Shaanxi BC & TV Network.
| Last FY | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | EBITDA | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | |
| $340M | $107M | - | - | - | - | |||
| $142M | $67M | 2.7x | - | 5.8x | - | |||
| $58M | ($44M) | 5.0x | - | (6.8x) | - | |||
| $3.9B | $289M | 1.5x | 1.5x | 20.5x | 7.9x | |||
| $15M | $10M | 24.2x | - | 36.0x | - | |||
| $1.1B | $32M | 0.3x | 0.3x | 10.7x | 8.0x | |||
| $375M | $26M | 0.5x | 1.0x | 7.7x | 8.4x | |||
| $158M | $14M | 1.4x | 1.7x | 15.3x | 31.0x | |||
This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all Excel Entertainment competitors and their valuation data. Start Free Trial | ||||||||
Common questions about Excel Entertainment
| When was Excel Entertainment founded? | Excel Entertainment was founded in 1999. |
| Where is Excel Entertainment headquartered? | Excel Entertainment is headquartered in India. |
| Is Excel Entertainment publicly listed? | No, Excel Entertainment is a private, VC-backed company. |
| What is Excel Entertainment's valuation? | Excel Entertainment was last valued at $290M in its secondary sale in January 2026. |
| How much funding has Excel Entertainment raised? | Excel Entertainment has raised $79M across 1 funding round. |
| What was Excel Entertainment's last funding round? | Excel Entertainment's last funding round was a $79M strategic investment round in January 2026, led by Universal Music India Pvt Ltd. |
| Who are Excel Entertainment's investors? | Excel Entertainment's investors include Universal Music and Universal Music India Pvt Ltd. |
| What is Excel Entertainment's revenue? | Excel Entertainment's latest recorded revenue is $16M (January 2026). |
| What is Excel Entertainment's revenue multiple? | Excel Entertainment's latest valuation implies a 18.1x revenue multiple ($290M valuation on $16M of revenue). |
| Which companies are comparable to Excel Entertainment? | Companies comparable to Excel Entertainment include SOOP, Embright Infotech, Secuoya Grupo, Hengxin Shambala Culture, Brut and iHeartMedia. |
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