Is a Sequel to ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ on the Way?

Farhan Akhtar opened up about whether a sequel to Dil Chahta Hai (2001) could be in the pipeline.

The film follows the story of three friends, each with different attitudes and approaches to love.

It starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia in lead roles.

Dil Chahta Hai has frequently been described as a trendsetting film for Bollywood, due to its storyline, language and costumes.

Given the popularity it amassed, fans have been curious about an extension of the movie.

Speaking about the idea of a sequel, Farhan said:

“[A sequel] doesn’t bore me. Whenever someone asks me that, it feels amazing that people have so much love for the first film that they are asking for the sequel.

“I always appreciate that, so it can’t bore me ever. But I don’t feel I need to do a Dil Chahta Hai 2.

“I feel that film has done what it had to do, I said what I had to say.

“Anything on it now will be trying to add something to a story that doesn’t need any additions.

“For me, films like a Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, to a certain extent the first Rock On, Jee Le Zaraa — obviously that is still to be made — but they occupy the same kind of emotional space in terms of the stories that are being told that I experienced when I did Dil Chahta Hai.

“So I have never thought about going back and doing a sequel.”

In previous interviews, Farhan has admitted that he was seriously considering a female-led version of Dil Chahta Hai. 

At one point, this was touted to be Jee Le Zaraa. The film was to be directed by Farhan and it had Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt headlining the film.

However, since its announcement in August 2021, the movie is yet to go on floors.

It was also rumoured that Priyanka exited the film, causing the project to be stalled.

On the work front, Farhan produced Kunal Khemu’s film Madgaon Express (2024). Similar to Dil Chahta Hai, the film is also a tale of three friends.

Delving into the movie, Farhan explained: “You have to invest in the people on screen. You have to see your friends in them, identify, want to be a part of that group.

“Because most of these films are not so plot-heavy.

“Of course, there is a story, a beginning, middle and end, but what you really enjoy is how they are dealing with things.

“You have to make them very likeable and very believable.

“I loved the guys in Madgaon Express and the humour is absolutely incredible.

“When you sit alone in a room and laugh loudly while reading something, that pretty much tells you what you are feeling.

“You are not forced to laugh because someone is narrating it you and you have no choice!”

“It was a quick read, is aspirational and has some great characters apart from the three boys.”

Farhan Akhtar is next set to continue his Don franchise, with Don 3 slated to be released in 2025.

The film will star Ranveer Singh as the titular character while Kiara Advani will essay the female lead.

Meanwhile, Dil Chahta Hai marked Farhan’s directorial debut and it won the 2002 National Award for ‘Best Feature Film in Hindi’.