RITESH SIDHWANI

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

Ritesh co-founded Excel Entertainment alongside longtime collaborator Farhan Akhtar, launching the company with the landmark film Dil Chahta Hai (2001). The film redefined urban storytelling in Indian cinema and won the National Film Award, marking the beginning of a studio that would go on to produce some of the most iconic films of the modern era.

As a creative producer, Ritesh has consistently championed original voices and nurtured new talent, providing opportunities for debutant filmmakers, writers, and actors to bring distinctive stories to the screen. His body of work spans a wide range of genres from intimate coming-of-age stories to large-scale action films and includes critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Don, Don 2, Dil Dhadakne Do, Talaash, and Gully Boy.

Ritesh is a two-time National Award winning producer, receiving his second National Award for the acclaimed musical drama Rock On!!, further cementing his reputation for backing distinctive and culturally resonant storytelling.

Under Ritesh’s leadership, Excel Entertainment also became a pioneer in India’s streaming revolution. The company produced Inside Edge, India’s first Amazon Prime Video original series, which earned an International Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series. Excel subsequently delivered several globally recognized shows including Mirzapur, Made in Heaven, Dahaad, and Bambai Meri Jaan, helping redefine premium long-form storytelling from India.

In 2026, Ritesh achieved a historic milestone when the Manipuri feature film Boong, which he produced, won a BAFTA Award, becoming the first Indian film ever to receive a BAFTA. The achievement marked a landmark moment for Indian cinema and highlighted his continued commitment to supporting powerful stories emerging from across India’s diverse regions.

Beyond film and streaming, Ritesh has also explored new avenues for cinematic storytelling, including collaborations with Dubai’s Bollywood Parks to create immersive entertainment experiences inspired by Indian cinema.

Today, Ritesh continues to lead Excel Entertainment as a global content studio, developing films and series for theatrical and streaming platforms while building international collaborations that position Indian stories for audiences worldwide.

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 (2026) – Producer

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