RITESH SIDHWANI

Ritesh Sidhwani is one of India’s leading film producers and the co-founder of Excel Entertainment, one of the country’s most influential film and content studios. Over the past two decades, he has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary Indian cinema and expanding the global reach of Indian storytelling across theatrical and streaming platforms.

Ritesh co-founded Excel Entertainment alongside Farhan Akhtar, launching the company with the landmark film Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which redefined urban storytelling in Indian cinema and won the National Film Award.

Over the years, he has produced a diverse slate of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Don, Don 2, the Fukrey franchise, Raees, Madgaon Express, Dil Dhadakne Do, Talaash, and Gully Boy. Known for backing distinctive stories across genres, Ritesh has also championed emerging filmmakers, writers, and talent through Excel Entertainment.

A two-time National Award–winning producer, Ritesh received his second National Award for the acclaimed musical drama Rock On!!.

Under his leadership, Excel Entertainment became a pioneer in India’s streaming space with Inside Edge, India’s first Amazon Prime Video original series and an International Emmy nominee for Best Drama Series. The studio subsequently produced globally recognized series including Mirzapur, Made in Heaven, Dahaad, Bambai Meri Jaan, and Netflix’s Dabba Cartel.

In 2026, the Manipuri feature film Boong, produced by Ritesh, won a BAFTA Award, becoming the first Indian film ever to receive a BAFTA. The achievement marked a landmark moment for Indian cinema and reflected his continued commitment to supporting powerful stories from across India’s diverse regions and languages.

Beyond film and streaming, Ritesh has also explored immersive entertainment experiences through collaborations with Dubai’s Bollywood Parks.

Today, he continues to lead Excel Entertainment as a global content studio, developing films and series for audiences worldwide while building international creative collaborations across the entertainment industry. 

Filmography

  • Dil Chahta Hai (2001) – Producer
  • Lakshya (2004) – Producer
  • Don (2006) – Producer
  • Honey Moon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007) – Producer
  • Positive (2007) – Producer
  • Rock On!! (2008) – Producer
  • Luck By Chance (2009) – Producer
  • Karthik Calling Karthik (2010) – Producer
  • Game (2011) – Producer
  • Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) – Producer
  • Don 2 (2011) – Producer
  • Talaash(2012) – Producer
  • Fukrey(2013) – Producer
  • Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) – Producer
  • Bangistan (2015) – Producer
  • Baar Baar Dekho (2016) – Producer
  • Rock On 2 (2016) – Producer
  • Raees (2016) – Producer
  • Fukrey Returns (2018) – Producer
  • 3 Storeys (2018) – Producer
  • Gold (2018) –  Producer
  • KGF Chapter 1 (2018) – Presented by
  • Gully Boy (2019) – Producer
  • Syeraa (2019) – Presented by
  • Hello Charlie (2021) – Producer
  • Toofaan (2021) – Producer
  • Sharmaji Namkeen (2022) – Producer
  • KGF 2 (2022) – Presented By
  • Phonebhoot (2022) – Producer
  • Fukrey 3 (2023) – Producer
  • Friday Night Plan (2023) – Producer
  • Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) – Producer
  • Madgaon Express (2024) – Producer
  • Agni (2024) – Producer
  • Ramayana (2025) – Presented by
  • Superboys Of Malegaon (2025) – Producer
  • Ground Zero (2025) – Producer
  • Tanvi The Great (2025) – Presented by
  • Songs Of Paradise (2025) – Presented by
  • 120 Bahadur (2025) – Producer
  • Boong (2025) – Producer
  • Mirzapur The Movie – To Be Released

Original Series

  • Inside Edge (2017) – Executive Producer
  • Mirzapur (2018) – Executive Producer
  • Made In Heaven (2019) – Executive Producer
  • Inside Edge 2 (2019) – Executive Producer
  • Mirzapur 2 (2020) – Executive Producer
  • Inside Edge 3 (2021) – Executive Producer
  • Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (2022) – Executive Producer
  • Dahaad (2023) – Executive Producer
  • Made In Heaven 2 (2023) – Executive Producer
  • Bambai Meri Jaan (2023) – Executive Producer
  • Mirzapur 3 (2024) – Executive Producer
  • Angry Young Men (2024) – Executive Producer
  • Dabba Cartel (2025) – Executive Producer
  • Andhera (2025) –  Executive Producer