Actor-director-producer Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have launched "Excel Origins", a new initiative dedicated to discovering, developing and backing the next generation of Indian filmmakers under 30 as their production house Excel Entertainment has completed 25 years since the release of their first film, Dil Chahta Hai.

They shared the news with a post on their Instagram handle on Monday, which featured the poster with the note written over it. "25 years ago, we started Excel Entertainment and began work on a film called Dil Chahta Hai. We had a simple thought - New voices and a different way of telling stories will find an audience. We were twenty-six years old. We didn't have all the answers, but we had the courage to take risks and the tenacity to make it happen," read the note.

"So as Excel celebrates the 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 way for us to celebrate where we came from is to invest in where cinema goes back. 25 years of Excel. Now, back to our Origins. Ritesh and Farhan," it added.

As per a press release, 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.”

Dil Chahta Hai marked the directorial debut of Akhtar, who also wrote the film and it starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta in pivotal roles. A timeless story of friendship, Dil Chahta Hai revolved around three college buddies with differing personalities navigating love and heartbreak.

The film went on to earn over Rs 40 crore at the box office and brought a fresh voice to the medium which was marked by inventive visuals, freewheeling humour, new age rock music and funky costumes.

Published - August 10, 2026 06:23 pm IST