Comcast to Invest in Excel Entertainment Through Potential Stake Acquisition

Mumbai, India - In a significant development that could shake up the Indian entertainment industry, sources within merchant banking have confirmed that Comcast Corp's Universal Studios is in talks to acquire a stake in Excel Entertainment, a leading movie production powerhouse founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

If the deal materializes, it could involve a minority stake or even a 50 per cent share of the company, with the primary method of investment being new capital infusion. The acquisition would mark Universal Studios' entry into the Indian entertainment space, where Excel Entertainment dominates production and distribution of Bollywood films.

However, due to lack of response from Excel Entertainment and co-founder Ritesh Sidhwani to a series of queries regarding the matter, no further details were available at press time. Comcast Corp also failed to respond to emails requesting comment on the development.

The news comes as Universal Studios is reportedly looking to expand its footprint in emerging markets, including India, where the film industry is expected to continue witnessing rapid growth in the coming years. The exact terms of the proposed deal remain uncertain and will be scrutinized by industry regulators and stakeholders closely.