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Jio Studios buys 50.1 per cent stake in Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment
MUMBAI: Reliance has tightened its grip on India’s fast-globalising content business, buying a 50.1 per cent stake in Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment as it hunts for stories that travel.
Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited, a wholly owned arm of Reliance Industries, acquired the majority stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited on 3 February 2026 through a mix of primary and secondary transactions for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs 150 crore. The move strengthens Jio Studios, Reliance’s media and content unit, as it chases scale, intellectual property and international audiences.
Jio Studios has become an increasingly muscular backer of Indian cinema, pairing commercial instincts with creative bets. It has backed titles such as Dhurandhar, billed as the highest-grossing Indian film, Laapataa Ladies and the Stree franchise, and has positioned itself as a central player in India’s evolving content economy.
The tie-up marries Jio’s distribution heft and capital with Sikhya’s reputation for culturally rooted stories that resonate abroad. The two plan to co-create films and series for Indian and global viewers, blending Jio’s scale and long-term IP focus with Sikhya’s storytelling pedigree.
Founded by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Sikhya has built an outsized global profile over the past decade. It remains the only Indian production house to have won both an Academy Award and multiple National Film Awards. Its Oscars came for Period. End of Sentence. and The Elephant Whisperers, both in the documentary short categories. Its National Award winners include Masaan (Hindi), Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) and Kathal (Hindi). Its wider slate spans The Lunchbox, Masaan, Pagglait, Kathal and Kill.
Just as important has been its focus on spotting new voices, backing debut and early-career film-makers, and leaning into performance-led stories. Sikhya has often punched above its weight, creating breakout moments for actors and directors while straddling languages and markets.
Jyoti Deshpande, president – Jio Studios (media and content business, RIL), framed the deal as a creator-first bet.
“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 cast the partnership as fuel for independent cinema with bigger wings.
“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 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.”
For Reliance, the message is clear: content is no longer just local entertainment but exportable culture. For Sikhya, it is independence with ballast. And for Indian cinema, the script is shifting—from chasing screens at home to commanding attention abroad. The next blockbuster, it seems, may also be a passport.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
