/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/media_files/2026/01/06/arts-and-culture_marayacouple_en_static_display_728x90-2026-01-06-15-30-18.jpg)
/elle-india/media/media_files/2026/01/09/banner-10-2026-01-09-12-05-55.png)
On his birthday, the spotlight turns to Farhan Akhtar’s remarkable journey. From a young college student with cinematic ambitions to a creative leader shaping storytelling on a global stage. Spanning decades of creative excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and cultural influence, his evolution reaches a defining milestone with Excel Entertainment’s strategic partnership with Universal Music Group, positioning Indian stories and soundtracks for an expanded international audience.
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/12/18/arts-and-culture_marayacouple_en_static_display_300x250-2025-12-18-11-05-09.jpg)
Early Creative Foundations
/elle-india/media/post_attachments/thumb/msid-80199932,width-400,resizemode-4/80199932-797298.jpg)
Farhan Akhtar’s love for cinema took shape early in Mumbai, where films were as much a part of everyday life as the city itself. During his time at H. R. College, he gravitated towards writing, storytelling, and observing the world around him. Less about chasing fame and more about figuring out what kind of stories he wanted to tell. Those college years helped sharpen his creative instincts, laying the groundwork for a career driven by originality, experimentation, and a clear long-term vision.
Breakthrough with Dil Chahta Hai
/elle-india/media/post_attachments/img/article-2021822018440867448000-294017.JPG)
Farhan Akhtar announced his arrival as a filmmaker withDil Chahta Hai, a coming-of-age film that changed the visual and emotional language of Hindi cinema. With its contemporary storytelling, relatable friendships, and fresh aesthetic, the film struck a chord with a new generation of audiences. Winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, it set a new benchmark for modern Bollywood narratives. It firmly established Farhan as a filmmaker with a distinctive voice.
Building Excel Entertainment
/elle-india/media/post_attachments/albums300_2012/wpw-20260105/hpse_fullsize_0_2746609891_Farhan%20Akhtar,%20Ritesh%20Sidhwani%20at%20Excel%20Entertainment%20and%20Universal%20Music%20Group%20collaboration%20event_695b8e846df3e-755022.jpeg)
In 1999, Farhan Akhtar teamed up with Ritesh Sidhwani to launch Excel Entertainment, setting out to tell stories that felt fresh, ambitious, and ahead of their time. Under Farhan’s creative leadership, Excel quickly became one of India’s most influential production houses. Backing films like Lakshya and Don, and expanding into critically acclaimed projects across formats. The banner became synonymous with bold storytelling, genre experimentation, and a new-age cinematic sensibility.
National Award Recognition Beyond the Debut
/elle-india/media/post_attachments/images/I/81vZpDc+AjL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_-275960.jpg)
Farhan Akhtar’s National Award journey didn’t stop with Dil Chahta Hai. His work continued to earn recognition for both its artistic depth and cultural resonance. He went on to receive a National Film Award as producer for Rock On!!, reinforcing his reputation as a multi-dimensional creative force, one who could shape cinema not just as a director, but also as a producer backing meaningful, forward-thinking stories.
Taking Indian Stories Global
/fit-in/580x348/filters:format(webp)/elle-india/media/media_files/2026/01/09/download-2026-01-09-12-29-29.jpg)
Excel Entertainment’s strategic partnership with Universal Music Group marks a major milestone in expanding the global reach of Indian film and music. The collaboration extends Universal’s worldwide distribution rights for future original soundtracks and paves the way for a dedicated Excel music label with international visibility—all while Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani retain full creative control. More than a business move, the partnership strengthens cross-border creative exchange, positioning culturally rooted Indian storytelling within a global dialogue between cinema and music.
A Journey That Continues to Inspire
Farhan Akhtar’s journey reflects a rare balance of creativity, resilience, and foresight. From early ambitions rooted in storytelling to shaping some of India’s most influential creative milestones in cinema, his evolution continues to inspire creators across disciplines. As he celebrates his birthday, this moment reinforces a larger truth that purposeful storytelling, guided by conviction and vision, has the power to shape culture, spark global conversations, and build lasting creative legacies.
Also read,
Karisma Kapoor: The Kapoor Heiress Who Rewrote the Bollywood Heroine Rulebook
