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Bollywood News Updated Aug 12, 2026

Farhan Akhtar Unveils Hand-Drawn Storyboards for 'Dil Chahta Hai' at 25

Farhan Akhtar posted his original hand-drawn storyboards for 'Dil Chahta Hai' on Instagram, marking the film's 25th anniversary. He explained the pre-AI, pre-software approach he used, noting the unique fingerprint-like characters. Actor Karanveer Sharma guessed the scene and praised the film's memorable dialogues. Farhan and producer Ritesh Sidhwani issued a statement reflecting on their journey and future plans for Excel Entertainment.

Farhan Akhtar shows his love for peak detailing in his storyboards for 'Dil Chahta Hai'

Mumbai, Aug 12

Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar treated his Instagram family to a glimpse of his storyboards for his beloved movie, 'Dil Chahta Hai', which clocked 25 years of release on Wednesday.

Farhan had carefully broken down the scenes, along with mentioning the shots he wanted to make the scene most impactful, showing his love for detailing.

He wrote on the photo-sharing app, "Long before AI and before software was easily (think affordable) available, this was how I did my storyboards on Dil Chahta Hai. Hand drawn with every character looking like a fingerprint. Maybe that's what made them unique. (sic)."

Farhan even urged the netizens to guess the scene, saying "Any guesses on which scene? Comment below"

Actor Karanveer Sharma guessed the scene. He mentioned in the comment section, "Yaaar tu priya se itna darta kyun hai ? Mard bann! Be a man !! I can't believe i still remember all the dialogues that too after so many years. What a legendary film."

As 'Dil Chahta Hai' turned 25 on Tuesday, Farhan and producer Ritesh Sidhwani issued an official statement that read, "Twenty five years ago, we started Excel Entertainment and began work on a film called 'Dil Chahta Hai'. We had a simple belief - New voices and a different way of telling stories, will find an audience. We were 26 years old. We didn't have all the answers but we had an idea we believed in, the courage to take risks and the tenacity to make it happen (sic)."

"As we look back at everything this journey has given us, we also find ourselves thinking about what the next 25 years has in store for us. We believe it will include Excel empowering young, aspiring filmmakers with bold ideas and the courage to tell stories differently," they further shared.

With Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna as the leads, 'Dil Chahta Hai' also starred Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in supporting roles.

— IANS

Reader Comments

Sneha F

Karanveer's comment is hilarious! "Mard bann! Be a man!" — those dialogues are etched in our memories forever. 25 years and still relevant. Farhan, you legend! This film redefined how we see friendship and love. 💛

Rohan X

Honestly, this is a masterclass in storytelling. In the age of AI and software, it's refreshing to see an artist's raw process. Farhan's approach reminds us that creativity doesn't need fancy tools — just vision and hard work. Dil Chahta Hai wasn't just a film; it was a movement. 🇮🇳

Michael C

As someone who studied film, this is fascinating. The hand-drawn storyboards show a level of commitment that's rare today. It's a reminder that great art comes from passion, not just tools. The scene with Priya and Akash in Goa is iconic! 🎬

Kavya N

25 years?! I feel old, but so grateful this film exists. It captured the essence of modern India at that time — the friendships, the awkwardness, the humour. Farhan's detailing is the reason every frame feels intentional. Also, that "fingerprint" comment is too cute. 🥹

Deepak U

Dil Chahta Hai changed Indian cinema forever. Before this, we didn't have films that truly celebrated urban youth culture. Farhan's storyboards are a testament to his genius. But I also think the industry today relies too much on tech — we need more hand-drawn passion like this. Just my observation. Respect to the artist.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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