Ritesh Sidhwani co-founded the film production house Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd with old friend and actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar in 1999. The duo made their breakthrough debut with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which also marked Farhan Akhtar's debut as a director. The film became a blockbuster and grew to achieve cult status, having a significant impact on Indian cinema. Excel Entertainment went from strength to strength thereafter, producing such high-impact films as Lakshya (2004), Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007), Rock On!! (2008), Karthik Calling Karthik (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Talaash (2012), Fukrey (2013), and many others.