Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment sells minority stake to Universal Studios amid Don 3, Jee Le Zaraa delays: report

Farhan Akhtar launched Excel Entertainment with the film Dil Chahta Hai. (Photo: Farhan Akhtar, Instagram)

In October 2024, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions made headlines when it sold 50% stake in their production house to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII). The news was as surprising as it was significant. Now, it is being reported that another major Bollywood studio, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, is entering into a partnership with Hollywood giant Universal Studios.

As per a report in Mid-day, Excel Entertainment and Universal Studios have been in talks for a while as the international studio is keen on entering the Indian market. The report also claims that Universal Studios has acquired a minority stake in Excel Entertainment, with the larger share remaining with Farhan and Ritesh. Adding further, the source said, “Excel wants to expand the scale of its productions going ahead. There are big ideas in the pipeline.”

Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment made its debut with 2001’s Dil Chahta Hai. Over the years, the studio has delivered landmark films such as Lakshya, Don, Rock On Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Fukrey, and Gully Boy, among others.

In 2025, Excel had three major theatrical releases: Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegaon, Emraan Hashmi’s Ground Zero, and Farhan Akhtar-starrer 120 Bahadur. However, all three underperformed at the box office. Looking ahead, the studio plans to bring the much-loved Mirzapur series to the big screen with Mirzapur: The Film. Meanwhile, two of Excel’s most anticipated projects, Don 3 and Jee Lee Zaara, remain in limbo, with no official updates on their future. Specifically, Don 3, which was scheduled to go on floors next month, has been reportedly delayed yet again.

A few years ago, when Excel celebrated its 20th anniversary alongside Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar took to Instagram to reflect, writing, “20 Years Of Excel. And to think all we wanted was to just make Dil Chahta Hai.” He added, “Thank you life for having other plans. Thank you to all actors, writers, directors, technicians, music directors, lyricists and every single person from all creative departments and production teams that walked alongside and sometimes carried me on this journey. None of it was possible without you. And none of it was possible without the love of you, the audiences. It’s been your support that’s given wings to our dreams. Thank you.”