Universal Music India Ties with Maddock Films

Photo Credit: Sanujeet Bhujabal, Adam Granite, Dinesh Vijan, Devraj Sanyal

Universal Music India announces a partnership with Bollywood film production studio Maddock Films and its music label, Mad For Mussic.

The strategic partnership positions Universal Music India (UMI) as the global partner for future film soundtracks from the Bollywood studio behind hits like “Bhediya,” “Munjya,” and “Stree.”

The deal leverages Universal Music’s global network for international operations while deepening UMI’s presence in local film music—India’s largest music category.

“This landmark partnership signals a crucial step forward for our India business,” said Adam Granite, Universal Music Group’s CEO Africa, Middle East, and Asia. “Dinesh Vijan is not just a Hindi film industry veteran; he is a first-class storyteller with an unparalleled ear for music. It is a great privilege for UMI to be able to work on the studio’s forthcoming slate of films, and bring even more incredible Hindi music to audiences the world over.”

“We live and abide by the ‘content-first’ approach,” said Dinesh Vijan, founder of Maddock Films. “Our cinema is the cinema of real India—emanating from the smallest of towns and impacting audiences in the biggest of cities—in India and abroad.

“Music is—and always has been—one of the central pillars of my films. UMG is a perfect partner for our ambitions, as we step into the next growth phase of Maddock, developing some of the most sought after movie franchises and creating new genres.”

“Dinesh Vijan has successfully turned Maddock Films into a content powerhouse with a fearless and forward-thinking approach to storytelling,” added Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director, India & South Asia, UMI. “Their ability to weave tales from our rich and diverse culture, keeping music at the center, has captivated audiences of all backgrounds.

“The strategic alliance between the creative prowess of Maddock Films and the global reach of Universal Music Group will bring the essence of Indian culture and context to a global audience. Movies and their music are the central pillars of the rapidly growing Indian music market. With this move, Universal Music India will be at the forefront of the ever-expanding soundtrack market in India.”

Devraj Sanyal, chairman and CEO, India SA, SVP strategy, Africa, Middle East & Asia, UMI, concluded: “This is the perfect time and the perfect partner for us to re-enter the Indian film music space. We have enjoyed great success at UMI in making ipop and desi hip-hop culturally relevant and globally resonant, and it’s time for us to give that same love and respect to film music. We couldn’t have hoped for a better partner than Dinesh, and there is much more to come from us in this space.”