Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language coming-of-age comedy-drama, written and directed by Farhan Akhtar in his directorial debut. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, it was the first release under Excel Entertainment, the banner the two co-founded, and opened theatrically on 10 August 2001. Akhtar drew on personal diaries chronicling his travels to various cities when developing the story.

The plot follows Akash, Sameer, and Sid, three inseparable college friends whose paths diverge as they navigate love, friendship, and adulthood. Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna lead the cast, with Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in pivotal supporting roles. Shot in India and Australia, it was among the first Hindi films to employ sync sound. A commercial success in urban centers, it won two honors at the 49th National Film Awards and seven at the 47th Filmfare Awards, and has since attained cult status as a landmark that redefined youth narratives in Hindi cinema.