Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Monday marked the 25th anniversary of his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai with a heartfelt note of gratitude, as the cult classic — featuring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia — continues to resonate with audiences a quarter-century after its release. The milestone also prompted Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani to announce a new initiative aimed at nurturing India's next wave of filmmakers.

Farhan Akhtar's Anniversary Message

Taking to his X timeline, Akhtar 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.” The post captured the enduring affection the film commands — not just among those who watched it in theatres in 2001, but across successive generations who discovered it on streaming platforms.

Excel Entertainment Launches Excel Origins

Alongside the anniversary tribute, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani used the occasion to announce Excel Origins, a new initiative by their production house Excel Entertainment to discover and support emerging filmmakers. In a joint statement, the duo recalled the ethos that drove them at age 26 when they founded the company and began work on the film.

“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,” the statement read.

Looking ahead, they added: “We believe it will include Excel empowering young, aspiring filmmakers with bold ideas and the courage to tell stories differently. So, as Excel celebrates its silver anniversary, we’re launching EXCEL ORIGINS — an initiative to discover and back the next generation of filmmakers. New voices. Original stories. Breakthrough genres. Because the best way for us to celebrate where we came from is to invest in where cinema goes next.”

Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran Reflects on the Journey

Veteran cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, who shot Dil Chahta Hai and is primarily known for his work in the Tamil film industry, also marked the anniversary with a personal note. Posting on X, Chandran wrote: “25 years of Dil Chahta Hai. A defining turning point in my journey as a cinematographer.. a cult classic. Grateful to @FarOutAkhtar for trusting me as DOP on his debut, @ritesh_sid & @excelmovies for the opportunity. Still very close to my heart.” His remarks underline how the film served as a crossroads moment not just for Hindi cinema but for several careers it launched.

Why Dil Chahta Hai Still Matters

Released in 2001, Dil Chahta Hai is widely credited with redefining the urban friendship drama in Bollywood — moving away from melodrama toward a naturalistic, dialogue-driven style that felt genuinely new at the time. Its influence is visible across a generation of Indian films that followed. The 25-year milestone, marked simultaneously by its director, producer, and cinematographer, reflects a rare unanimity about its lasting cultural weight. The launch of Excel Origins on this occasion signals that its makers intend to use the anniversary not just as a moment of nostalgia, but as a springboard for the industry’s future.