Jio Studios Buys 50.1% Stake in Sikhya Entertainment for ₹150 crore

Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited has acquired a 50.1% controlling stake in Sikhya Entertainment, the Indian production house behind Academy Award-winning documentaries Period. End of Sentence. and The Elephant Whisperers, the companies said on Tuesday.

The transaction, valued at ₹150 crore, gives Reliance Jio Studios majority control of Sikhya Entertainment, which will continue to operate independently under its existing leadership, according to a joint statement.

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. The studio has built a reputation for producing culturally rooted films and documentaries that have found international audiences, often backing first-time filmmakers and unconventional subjects.

In addition to its Oscar-winning documentaries, Sikhya’s filmography includes critically acclaimed titles such as Masaan, Soorarai Pottru and Kathal, which have earned both commercial success and awards recognition in India.

Reliance said the acquisition is part of its broader strategy to expand its content portfolio and strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector, which has seen heightened competition from global and domestic streaming platforms.

“This partnership allows us to support distinctive Indian voices and take their stories to a global audience,” Jyoti Deshpande, president of Jio Studios, said in the statement. She added that the company aims to combine Sikhya’s creative track record with Reliance’s scale, distribution and long-term investment capability.

Monga Kapoor and Jain said the deal would allow Sikhya to scale its operations without compromising creative independence. “We believe stories can travel across borders while remaining deeply authentic,” they said, adding that the partnership would help champion emerging talent from India.

Reliance Industries Ltd., led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has steadily expanded its presence across telecom, retail and media. Its media arm has invested heavily in films, streaming content and theatrical releases as competition intensifies and platforms seek to control intellectual property rather than rely on licensed content.

India’s media and entertainment industry, valued at more than $28 billion, is undergoing consolidation as companies look to manage rising production costs and monetise content across multiple platforms, including theatres, streaming services and international markets.

The Sikhya acquisition marks one of Reliance’s most prominent bets on creator-led, globally recognised content to date, underscoring its ambition to position Indian stories alongside international productions.

(With inputs from ANI)