Farhan Akhtar celebrates 25 years of his directorial debut 'Dil Chahta Hai'
Mumbai, August 10
Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut ''Dil Chahta Hai' completed 25 years on Monday.
Sharing film's poster on Instagram, Farhan wrote, "Can't believe it's been 25 years.. Akash, Sameer and Sid don't look like they've aged a day!!!! Heart filled with gratitude to you, the audience, for keeping it alive and still relevant. Big hug."
'Dil Chahta Ha', written and directed by Farhan Akhtar, featured Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in lead roles. It was released in 2001.
The Bollywood comedy-drama was praised for its compelling storyline, strong performances, and memorable music. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Primarily shot in urban locations across Australia and Mumbai, the film resonated more with urban audiences than rural ones. It explores the journey of three best friends as they navigate love, friendship, and the challenges of life after graduation.
Notably, earlier on Monday, Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani announced the launch of 'Excel Origins' through their social media posts, marking a new chapter in Excel Entertainment's commitment to discovering and supporting emerging storytellers.
The initiative will focus on "filmmakers under 30, identifying young directors and writers with distinctive voices and giving them the platform, resources and creative freedom to bring original ideas to life."
Excel Origins will look for stories that challenge convention, across genres, formats and new cinematic worlds, while also creating opportunities for emerging actors and creative talent.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I was in school when this released and remember watching it with my cousins. It was so ahead of its time - showing urban Indian youth in a way Bollywood hadn't really done before. The Goa trip scenes, the subtle humor, the emotional depth... Farhan truly is a visionary. Happy anniversary to a timeless classic! 🎬
Dil Chahta Hai was good, no doubt, but I feel it only showed the lifestyle of upper-class urban youth. Where were the middle-class or small-town experiences? Bollywood has always had this bias towards the metros. However, I respect Farhan for his craft and wish him luck with Excel Origins - hope they explore more diverse stories this time.
Can't believe it's been 25 years! I remember watching this in the theatre with my friends from engineering college. It felt like our story - the banter, the fights, the bond. Akshaye Khanna's portrayal of Sid was so underrated. And the chemistry between Aamir and Preity was adorable. Nostalgia overload! 💙
Dil Chahta Hai was my introduction to Farhan's genius. The way he handled relationships, especially the complexities of the Sid-Tara dynamic, was so mature for a debut director. The film deserves every bit of its National Award. Also, Excel Origins sounds promising - with the right guidance, young filmmakers can truly transform Indian cinema. 🙌
What a film! Even after
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