Dil Chahta Hai at 25: Farhan Akhtar shares hand-drawn storyboards
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after Dil Chahta Hai changed Hindi cinema, Farhan Akhtar pulled back the curtain on how it was made — with hand-drawn storyboards, no AI, and no affordable software. The reveal is both a nostalgia trip and a masterclass in pre-digital filmmaking craft.
Key Takeaways
Farhan Akhtar shared hand-drawn storyboards from Dil Chahta Hai on Instagram to mark the film's 25th anniversary .
Farhan noted the storyboards were created before AI or affordable software, entirely by hand.
Actor Karanveer Sharma correctly identified the scene in the comments, recalling the film's dialogues verbatim.
Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani issued a joint statement marking 25 years of Excel Entertainment .
The duo pledged to use Excel's platform to empower young, aspiring filmmakers going forward.
The film starred Aamir Khan , Saif Ali Khan , and Akshaye Khanna , with Preity Zinta , Sonali Kulkarni , and Dimple Kapadia in supporting roles.
Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar marked the 25th anniversary of Dil Chahta Hai by sharing a rare look at his hand-drawn storyboards for the cult classic on Instagram, offering fans an intimate window into his pre-production process before digital tools became commonplace.
The Storyboards That Built a Classic
Farhan posted images of his meticulously crafted storyboards, each scene broken down with detailed shot specifications. In his caption, he wrote: '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.'
He also invited followers to identify the scene depicted, asking them to 'Comment below' with their guesses — a move that sparked immediate engagement from fans and fellow film personalities alike.
Cast and Crew Respond
Actor Karanveer Sharma was among those who chimed in, correctly identifying the scene and writing: '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.' The response underscored the film's enduring hold on its audience across generations.
Excel Entertainment Marks 25 Years
The anniversary also coincided with a milestone for Excel Entertainment, the production house Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani co-founded. In a joint statement, the two reflected: '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.'
Looking ahead, the duo expressed their intent to use Excel's platform to nurture emerging talent, adding: 'We believe it will include Excel empowering young, aspiring filmmakers with bold ideas and the courage to tell stories differently.'
About the Film
Released in 2001, Dil Chahta Hai starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles, with Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in pivotal supporting parts. Farhan's directorial debut is widely credited with redefining the coming-of-age genre in Hindi cinema and remains a touchstone for urban storytelling in Bollywood. As the film enters its next quarter-century, the storyboard reveal is a reminder that its visual grammar was crafted with uncommon intentionality — one pencil stroke at a time.
Point of View
Made when Excel had no track record and no budget cushion, produced a film that still sets the benchmark for urban Hindi storytelling. The 25-year reflection from Akhtar and Sidhwani also signals that Excel intends to position itself as a launchpad for new voices — a brand pivot worth watching as OTT platforms increasingly crowd out mid-budget theatrical releases.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Farhan Akhtar share on Instagram for Dil Chahta Hai's 25th anniversary?
Farhan Akhtar shared images of his hand-drawn storyboards from Dil Chahta Hai, detailing the shots and scene breakdowns he created before digital tools were widely accessible. He also invited followers to guess which scene was depicted.
When was Dil Chahta Hai released and who starred in it?
Dil Chahta Hai was released in 2001 and starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles, with Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in supporting parts. It was Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut.
What did Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani say about Excel Entertainment's 25 years?
The two co-founders said they started Excel Entertainment at age 26 with a belief that new voices and different storytelling would find an audience. They also stated their intention to empower young, aspiring filmmakers with bold ideas over the next 25 years.
Why are Farhan Akhtar's hand-drawn storyboards significant?
They reveal the level of visual planning behind Dil Chahta Hai at a time when neither AI tools nor affordable storyboarding software existed. Farhan noted that every character was drawn by hand, which he credited with making the storyboards unique.
Who is Karanveer Sharma and what did he say about Dil Chahta Hai?
Karanveer Sharma is an actor who commented on Farhan Akhtar's storyboard post, identifying the scene and expressing that he still remembered the film's dialogues after 25 years, calling it a 'legendary film'.
