Farhan Akhtar on cult classic 'Dil Chahta Hai' completing 25 years: Akash, Sameer, Sid don't look like they've aged a day!

Twenty-five years after it changed the way friendship and urban youth were portrayed in Hindi cinema, Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ continues to enjoy a special place in the hearts of moviegoers.

Marking the film’s silver jubilee on Monday, Farhan Akhtar expressed his gratitude to audiences for keeping the cult classic relevant even after two and a half decades.

Taking to X, Farhan 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.”

Released in 2001, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna as three close friends whose lives, relationships and individual choices form the heart of the story. Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia were also part of the cast.

The film went on to become a defining work of its generation, particularly for its contemporary portrayal of friendship, relationships and young people's aspirations. Its influence can still be seen in the way friendship-driven stories are approached in Hindi cinema.

Farhan, along with producer Ritesh Sidhwani, also used the anniversary to look ahead. The duo announced that their production house, Excel Entertainment, is launching ‘EXCEL ORIGINS’, an initiative aimed at discovering and supporting a new generation of filmmakers.

Reflecting on the company's beginnings, they said that 25 years ago they were 26-year-olds who believed that new voices and unconventional storytelling could find an audience.

“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 initiative, they added, is intended to empower young filmmakers with bold ideas and encourage original storytelling across different genres.

“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,” the statement said.

The anniversary also prompted a nostalgic message from cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, whose camera work played an important role in shaping the film's distinctive visual style.

Chandran thanked Farhan for trusting him with the cinematography of his debut film and Ritesh Sidhwani for giving him the opportunity.

“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,” he wrote on X.

For a film that introduced a fresh visual and narrative language to mainstream Hindi cinema, the 25th anniversary is more than a celebration of nostalgia. It also marks the continuation of the philosophy that shaped ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ in the first place — giving new voices the confidence and space to tell stories differently.