'Dil Chahta Hai Gave Me This Life': Farhan Akhtar Says He Had 'No Idea' How To Produce Films

Farhan Akhtar, the celebrated actor, filmmaker, and singer, has revealed that he had "no idea" how to produce films when he embarked on his directorial debut with the iconic coming-of-age drama, Dil Chahta Hai. The film, which was released in 2001, not only marked a defining moment in how a generation understood friendship and growing up but also became a turning point in Akhtar's life, launching his career in the Bollywood film industry.

Akhtar, born to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, established the production company Excel Entertainment in 1999 with Ritesh Sidhwani. Despite this, he admitted that he was a novice when it came to the practicalities of film production. Reflecting on the experience, Akhtar stated, "They took a chance on a 25-year-old with a script and no idea of how to produce a film". He acknowledges that the "leap of faith" taken by the cast and crew is partly why the film holds such a special place in his heart. "Dil Chahta Hai gave me this life," he said.

Dil Chahta Hai featured a stellar cast, including Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna, with Preity Zinta and Sonali Kulkarni as their love interests, alongside Dimple Kapadia in a supporting role. The film revolved around the lives of three friends and their differing approaches to love and life, capturing the nuances of urban, westernized youth in Mumbai. The film's relatable characters, conversational screenplay, youthful soundtrack, and contemporary costume design resonated deeply with audiences, breaking away from the melodramatic style that dominated the 90s.

In an earlier interview, Farhan mentioned that Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan were his initial choices for the film. However, things did not go as planned. He started to feel that the film was not going to be made. It was during this period that he met Ritesh Sidhwani, who came on board and instilled some confidence in him. Following this, he approached Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan with the script.

Looking back, Akhtar feels fortunate to have collaborated with such an incredible team on his first film. He acknowledges the contributions of not only the on-screen talent but also the behind-the-scenes crew, including Ravi Chandran, Suzanne Merwanji, Nakul Kamte, and Arjun Bhasin.

Since Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar has directed and produced a diverse range of films, including Lakshya (2004), Don (2006), and Don 2 (2011). He has also made his mark as an actor in movies such as Rock On!! (2008), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).

While fans have often expressed their desire for a sequel to Dil Chahta Hai, Akhtar has stated that he has never seriously considered the possibility. He believes the original film achieved its intended impact and that movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and his upcoming Jee Le Zaraa explore similar emotional landscapes. However, in 2016, Akhtar mentioned that he would love to make a sequel of Dil Chahta Hai with girls.

Reflecting on his journey, Akhtar advises his younger self to "enjoy the journey a little more," acknowledging that he used to get stressed easily. As he continues his work in the film industry, Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai remains a cherished classic, a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of a film made with passion and a little bit of naiveté.