Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (RSBVL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), today (3rd February) acquired a 50.1% equity stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited (SEPL), one of India’s most globally recognised and awarded production houses, through a combination of primary and secondary transactions, for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs. 150 crore. This acquisition enables Jio Studios, the media and content arm of RIL, to further consolidate its pre-eminent position in the media and entertainment sector.
Founded by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Sikhya Entertainment is the only Indian production house to have won both, an Academy Award and multiple National Film Awards. Its Academy Award wins include Period. End of Sentence. (Best Documentary Short Subject) and The Elephant Whisperers (Best Documentary Short Film) while its National Film Award-winning films include Masaan (Hindi), Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) and Kathal (Hindi), alongside recognition across major Indian and international platforms. Its slate of films also includes The Lunchbox, Pagglait and Kill.
Speaking on the partnership, Jyoti Deshpande, President – Jio Studios (Media & Content Business, RIL), said, “Sikhya Entertainment has consistently delivered stories that are deeply Indian yet resonate globally. This association reflects our long-term belief in partnering with creators who combine creative excellence with cultural authenticity. Over the last seven years, Jio Studios has built a strong track record of producing and championing some of the most successful box-office winners and critically acclaimed films alike, from the most recent phenomenon Dhurandhar to Stree 2 and Laapataa Ladies which went all the way to the Oscars. I have known Guneet for a very long time and really admire her fire and tenacity. We are delighted to partner with Guneet, Achin and the Sikhya
Entertainment team, and by combining their distinctive storytelling legacy with Jio Studios’ scale, distribution, creative prowess and global ambition, we aim to give Indian stories the platform and pathways to reach audiences around the world.”
Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Sikhya Entertainment, shared, “We have always believed that stories have the power to connect people across cultures, geographies, and languages. At the heart of Sikhya’s work is a deep belief in storytelling and in the people who bring these stories to life. Over the past decade, we have collaborated with bold new directors, writers, actors, and exceptional creative teams, all of who continue to push the boundaries of independent cinema with honesty and ambition. For independent producers like us, driven by dreams and the audacity to turn those ideas into reality, this journey has been deeply rewarding. Partnering with Jio Studios allows us to take these stories to audiences around the world, while empowering us to champion emerging talent from across the country, where stories exist in every fabric and every thread. Jyoti Deshpande’s commitment to innovation and her instinct for bold ideas and creative risk make this partnership especially exciting. Together, we celebrate a Rising India, confident in its voice, unapologetic in its stories, and ready to shape the next chapter of cinema.”