Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani Launch Initiative For New Filmmakers

CHENNAI-Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani, the founders of Excel Entertainment, on August 10 announced the launch of an initiative to discover and back the next generation of filmmakers as their cult classic ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ completed 25 years.

The announcement came on the day the iconic film marked its 25th anniversary.

The statement read, “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 duo went on to say, “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.”

“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. 25 years of Excel. Now, back to our Origins,” they said. (IANS)