Excel Entertainment completes 25 years as Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar launch Excel Origins to discover and support filmmakers under 30. As Excel Entertainment marks 25 years in the Hindi film industry, co-founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar have announced Excel Origins, an initiative aimed at discovering and supporting a new generation of filmmakers. Excel Entertainment turns 25: Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani announce Excel Origins to back filmmakers under 30Sidhwani and Akhtar announced the initiative through their social media posts, looking back at the journey that began with Dil Chahta Hai. Reflecting on the company’s beginnings, the duo noted that they were 26 when they started Excel Entertainment. With Excel Origins, the filmmakers now intend to extend that philosophy to emerging talent.