The co-founder of Mumbai-based film studio Excel Entertainment, Ritesh Sidhwani has bankrolled a number of acclaimed Bollywood blockbusters over the years, in association with his long-time collaborator and friend Farhan Akhtar. He started his journey in Hindi cinema by producing the cult classic comedy-drama Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi that year. Seven years later, Ritesh bagged the prestigious honour for a second time with his fifth production venture: the musical drama Rock On!! (2008). Besides these, he also has a Filmfare Award for Best Feature Film to his credit, courtesy of the acclaimed buddy road film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011).
Over the years, the producer has been instrumental in launching the careers of several new filmmakers and actors through well-received movies like Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007), Rock On!! (2008), Karthik Calling Karthik (2010), Fukrey (2013) and Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Other significant production credits include the war drama Lakshya (2004), the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don (2006) and its sequel Don 2 (2011); the Aamir Khan starrer Talaash (2012) and Raees (2017). In 2018, Ritesh and Farhan co-produced the historical sports drama Gold, which was directed by Reema Kagti and starred Akshay Kumar in the lead role. His 2019 release includes Gully Boy.