Did You Know? Excel Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani mastered filmmaking through raw observation, skipping film school entirely!
When reflecting on contemporary Indian cinema—movies defined by sleek aesthetics, original narrative choices, and urban appeal—Excel Entertainment consistently stands at the forefront. Founded by visionary producer Ritesh Sidhwani alongside Farhan Akhtar, the studio has delivered landmark titles like Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rock On!!, and global streaming hits like Mirzapur. As Ritesh celebrates his birthday today, it serves as an ideal occasion to trace the inspiring trajectory of the producer who fundamentally reshaped modern Indian storytelling.
Long before winning two National Film Awards or building a cinema empire, Ritesh had no background in filmmaking. In fact, he spent about six years working in his family’s home-appliances business, Marlex. But his real heart was set on storytelling. When he finally decided to follow that passion, he didn’t go to a prestigious film school. Instead, he chose a simple, practical route: he went straight to a real working set.
Just before producing his very first movie, Ritesh visited the sets of Lagaan. He stood back, observed how light set-ups worked, watched how directors managed hundreds of crew members, and paid close attention to how a chaotic movie set runs smoothly. That raw, hands-on curiosity became his ultimate classroom. Without formal degrees or traditional training, he relied on sharp business sense, a keen eye for good stories, and pure observation.
That single risk paid off in ways no one could have guessed. His very first film as a producer, Dil Chahta Hai, didn’t just win a National Award, it changed how urban stories were told in India. Years later, he earned a second National Award for Rock On!!, proving that sometimes, passion and real-world observation are the best teachers you can ever have.
Here’s wishing Ritesh Sidhwani a very Happy Birthday, and many more years of groundbreaking cinema!
By Keerti Kadam