Netflix Pacts with India’s Excel Entertainment

As it continues to build its slate of Indian originals, Netflix has inked a strategic multiyear partnership with Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment.

Excel Entertainment will produce a range of content for Netflix under its series banner, Excel Media & Entertainment, beginning with Dabba Cartel, set in 1960s Mumbai and focused on five housewives who run a secret cartel, and Queen of the Hill, about two ambitious women.

The well-regarded outfit has a string of hit feature film credits (Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Lakshya, Toofaan and the Don franchise, among others) and has produced several acclaimed series for Amazon Prime India, including Inside Edge, Mirzapur and Made in Heaven.

Monika Shergill, VP of content at Netflix India, said, “We are excited to join hands with Excel Entertainment, one of India’s path-breaking creative studios. They have continuously pushed the boundaries of entertainment and given us stories that have stood the test of time. We are delighted to welcome them to Netflix.”

Sidhwani and Akhtar added, “Our partnership with Netflix marks a new global chapter for Excel Entertainment after 20 eventful years in storytelling. We’re excited with the opportunity to create a variety of extraordinary stories to entertain people in India and around the world. We are thrilled to begin this next chapter with Netflix.”