Young filmmaker wins National Award at 27 for debut movie

Farhan Akhtar, a leading figure in modern Hindi cinema, is celebrating his 52nd birthday on January 9. Over the years, he has made a mark as a director, writer, actor, producer, and singer. Coming from a family deeply connected to the film industry—his father is the famous lyricist Javed Akhtar and his mother, Honey Irani, is a well-known writer—Farhan began his career with a debut that left a lasting impression on Bollywood.

Farhan directed his first film, Dil Chahta Hai, at the age of 27 in 2001. The film, a coming-of-age story, was about friendship and life in modern India. It starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna and became an instant hit. More importantly, it won the National Award for Best Hindi Film. The success of Dil Chahta Hai established Farhan Akhtar as a director to watch and showed that even a first-time director could create something new and meaningful in Hindi cinema.

The film reshaped how friendship was shown in Bollywood. Before this, films mostly focused on romance or family drama. Dil Chahta Hai showed young friends dealing with love, careers, and life in a realistic and relatable way. Its style, dialogues, and music set a new trend in Hindi films. The story, characters, and fun-loving yet emotional approach made it a film that audiences still remember today.

Farhan Akhtar’s films and impact

Farhan’s career as a director is selective but very influential. After Dil Chahta Hai, he directed Lakshya in 2004, a coming-of-age war drama starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. The movie explored personal growth, determination, and patriotism. While it did moderately well at the box office, it became popular for its story and performances.

In 2008, Farhan directed Rock On!!, a musical drama about a rock band. This film also marked his acting debut and played an important role in bringing rock music into the mainstream of Hindi cinema. It encouraged new types of films and influenced the music culture in movies.

Farhan also directed Don in 2006 and Don 2 in 2011. Both were stylish action thrillers starring Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. These films modernized the classic Don franchise for younger audiences, blending action, suspense, and glamour in a fresh way. Don was a major commercial success with worldwide collections of over Rs 100 crore, and Don 2 did even better, earning over Rs 200 crore globally.

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Looking at box office numbers, Dil Chahta Hai earned around Rs 38 crore worldwide on a modest budget, while Lakshya earned about Rs 42 crore. Rock On!! collected around Rs 30 crore despite its smaller budget. These figures show that Farhan’s films, while sometimes experimental, managed to attract audiences and create a strong impact on both critics and viewers.

Farhan Akhtar has also been active as a producer through his company, Excel Entertainment, which he co-owns with Ritesh Sidhwani. Excel Entertainment has produced many hit films and web series. Currently, the company is preparing for the release of the Mirzapur movie, expanding its presence in digital content and streaming platforms.

Recently, Farhan acted in the film 120 Bahadur and continues to balance acting with directing and producing. He is returning to the director’s chair with Don 3, continuing the popular action franchise. Another multi-starrer film, Jee Le Zara, is also in development. This shows that Farhan is actively shaping Hindi cinema both in front of and behind the camera.

Farhan Akhtar’s contribution to Bollywood goes beyond commercial success. His films often focus on real emotions, friendship, ambition, music, and modern lifestyles. By taking risks with new themes and styles, he has inspired other filmmakers to experiment with storytelling. His work reflects a balance between entertainment and meaningful cinema, which is rare in mainstream Bollywood.

In addition to films, Farhan’s background as a singer and performer adds another dimension to his career. He has performed songs for his own movies and has been involved in promoting live music shows, giving him a multi-talented identity in the industry. His work continues to influence both young filmmakers and actors who look up to him for inspiration.

In conclusion, Farhan Akhtar made history by winning a National Award at just 27 for his debut film Dil Chahta Hai. This film reshaped Hindi cinema, especially how friendship and youth stories are portrayed. Over the years, Farhan has directed influential films like Lakshya, Rock On!!, Don, and Don 2, each leaving a unique mark on the industry. His achievements as a director, actor, and producer show his versatility and dedication to modern Hindi cinema. With upcoming projects like Don 3 and Jee Le Zara, Farhan continues to shape the future of Bollywood while maintaining the legacy of creativity and innovation he started at the young age of 27.