Universal Music India Re-Enters Film Music with New Label by Maddock Films

A new strategic partnership between Indian film production studio Maddock Films and major label Universal Music India has led to the creation of a record label, Mad For Mussic, announced on Aug. 29, 2025.

Mad For Musicc, led by Maddock Films founder Dinesh Vijan, will see Universal Music India work with the studio as a “global strategic partner for future film soundtracks and other businesses and product offerings,” a press release says. The label also marks the return of Universal Music India to Indian film soundtracks, last releasing music for films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. in 2003.

While Maddock Films has been delivering box office-positive Bollywood horror-comedy films like Bhediya, Munjya, and Stree, the soundtracks to their movies have also spawned hits. Released via other major labels in the past, songs like Sachin-Jigar and Arijit Singh‘s “Apna Bana Le” from Bhediya and “Tainu Khabar Nahi” from Munjya (Zee Music), “Tumhare Hi Rahenge Hum” from Stree 2 (Saregama) have seen millions of streams. Most recently, however, the Sachin-Jigar song “Pardesiya” from Param Sundari was released in late July via Universal Music India, marking the start of the partnership.

Universal Music India chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal (also SVP Strategy, Africa, M. East & Asia) said in a statement: “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 I-pop 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.”

Maddock Films’ Dinesh Vijan added in his statement: “We live and abide by the ‘content-first’ approach. 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 has always 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.”