Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar Launch Excel Origins, Initiative to Discover Filmmakers Under 30, as India’s Excel Entertainment Marks 25th Anniversary (EXCLUSIVE)
Excel Entertainment, the Mumbai-based production house founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, has launched "Excel Origins" to mark its 25th anniversary, an initiative aimed at discovering, developing and backing Indian filmmakers under the age of 30. The scheme revives the spirit in which the company itself began, with Sidhwani and Akhtar, then both 26, founding Excel Entertainment in 2000 while making their debut film "Dil Chahta Hai," a title that went on to define its generation and establish the studio's reputation for fresh voices and original storytelling.
Under the new banner, Excel plans to scout emerging directors and writers across multiple genres and formats, offering them creative backing to develop original material rather than proven formulas, with the search also extending to casting opportunities for early-career actors. The founders described it as a long-term effort to build an ongoing pipeline of new talent and intellectual property, rather than a one-off slate of projects. Since "Dil Chahta Hai," Excel's filmography has included "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara," the "Don" and "Fukrey" franchises, "Raees," "Dil Dhadakne Do," "Gully Boy" and the series "Inside Edge."
In short
- Excel Entertainment turns 25, launches "Excel Origins" for under-30 filmmakers.
- Scheme echoes founders' own start on "Dil Chahta Hai" at age 26.
- Initiative covers new directors, writers and early-career acting talent.
Explained simply
Excel Entertainment is a Mumbai production company founded in 2000 by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani. Its first film, Dil Chahta Hai, introduced a fresh style of storytelling and helped establish the company’s reputation for backing original Indian films.
The company has since made films across genres, including Gully Boy and the Don films, as well as the series Inside Edge. Excel Origins is intended to support writers and directors under 30 as they develop original work, and to create opportunities for early-career actors.
The initiative matters because it could bring new filmmakers and stories into India’s film and television industry. It also reflects the founders’ own start as young filmmakers and Excel’s effort to build a continuing source of new projects and talent.