Dil Chahta Hai turns 25: Sonali Kulkarni revisits Pooja's script
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after it rewrote Hindi cinema's rulebook, Dil Chahta Hai is back in the spotlight — with Sonali Kulkarni pulling out the original script and Farhan Akhtar admitting he still can't believe a quarter century has passed. Excel Entertainment's joint statement doubles as a manifesto for the next 25 years.
Key Takeaways
Dil Chahta Hai completed 25 years of release on 10 August .
Actress Sonali Kulkarni shared photographs and a video of the film's original script on Instagram , set to its title track.
Director Farhan Akhtar posted a tribute on X , expressing gratitude to audiences for keeping the film 'alive and still relevant.' Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani issued a joint statement marking Excel Entertainment's 25th year, pledging to back young filmmakers going forward.
The duo were both 26 years old when they founded Excel Entertainment and began work on the film.
Actress Sonali Kulkarni, who played Pooja in Farhan Akhtar's landmark directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, marked the film's 25th anniversary on 10 August by revisiting its original script — sharing photographs and a video of the pages on her official Instagram handle, set to the film's iconic title track.
Sonali Kulkarni's Tribute
In her caption, Kulkarni reflected on the film's enduring personal significance. “Celebrating the film that changed my life and the song that still make millions smile. Dil Chahta Hai completes 25 glorious years. It feels like just yesterday that I was dating Subodh and falling for Sameer yet finding my own voice. May we be guided by the heart and believe in love as the most transforming emotion. After all the heart wants what it wants…,” she wrote.
Farhan Akhtar's Message to the Audience
Director Farhan Akhtar also marked the milestone on his X (formerly Twitter) timeline, writing: “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.” The post underscored how the film’s three central friendships have remained touchstones for successive generations of Indian viewers.
Excel Entertainment Looks Back — and Forward
Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani issued a joint statement through their banner Excel Entertainment, reflecting on the company’s origins. “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,” they said.
The duo also signalled their intent for the next chapter: “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 added.
Why the Film Still Resonates
Released in 2001, Dil Chahta Hai is widely credited with reshaping the grammar of Hindi cinema — introducing a naturalistic, urban friendship narrative at a time when Bollywood was dominated by melodrama. The film launched Excel Entertainment as a production house and established Farhan Akhtar as a filmmaker of distinct voice. Its cultural footprint — from dialogues to the Goa sequence — remains visible in Indian popular culture 25 years on. The anniversary celebrations suggest the film’s emotional core has lost none of its pull for the audience that grew up with it.
Point of View
Using the anniversary to reposition Excel Entertainment as a launchpad for new voices rather than a legacy house resting on one classic. Whether that promise translates into actual output will be the real test. Sonali Kulkarni's tribute, meanwhile, highlights a quieter truth: supporting performances in that film carried emotional weight that mainstream coverage rarely gave them credit for at the time.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dil Chahta Hai celebrated 25 years after its release?
Dil Chahta Hai, released in 2001, is widely regarded as a landmark in Hindi cinema for its naturalistic portrayal of urban friendship. Its 25th anniversary on 10 August prompted tributes from the cast and crew, including actress Sonali Kulkarni and director Farhan Akhtar.
What did Sonali Kulkarni share to mark the anniversary?
Sonali Kulkarni posted photographs and a video of the film's original script on her Instagram handle, accompanied by the title track. She wrote that the experience 'feels like just yesterday' and described the film as one that 'changed my life.'
What did Farhan Akhtar say about the film's 25th anniversary?
Farhan Akhtar posted on X (formerly Twitter) saying he 'can't believe it's been 25 years' and expressed gratitude to audiences for keeping the film 'alive and still relevant,' noting that the characters 'don't look like they've aged a day.'
What is Excel Entertainment's plan for the next 25 years?
In a joint statement, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani said Excel Entertainment intends to empower young, aspiring filmmakers with bold ideas and the courage to tell stories differently — signalling a mentorship and production focus going forward.
Who did Sonali Kulkarni play in Dil Chahta Hai?
Sonali Kulkarni played the character Pooja in Dil Chahta Hai, a role she described as central to 'finding her own voice.' The film starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles.
