Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Dil Chahta Hai Reunion Draws Attention to Akshaye Khanna Absence
Dil Chahta Hai is a movie about three close friends growing up.
Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna played the three friends.
The movie was directed by Farhan Akhtar.
Its cast and crew met in Mumbai to celebrate 25 years since the film’s release.
Aamir, Saif, Farhan, Dimple Kapadia and Ritesh Sidhwani attended.
Akshaye, who played Sid, was not there.
Preity Zinta was also missing from the gathering.
Fans said the celebration did not feel complete without both actors.
The cast and crew of Dil Chahta Hai reunited in Mumbai to mark the film’s 25th anniversary.
Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Dimple Kapadia and Ritesh Sidhwani attended the gathering.
Akshaye Khanna, who played Siddharth “Sid” Sinha, appeared on the announcement poster but was absent from the event.
Preity Zinta was also absent; one report said she was in Paris.
Fans described the reunion as incomplete without Akshaye Khanna and referenced his Dhurandhar character, Rahman Dakait.
- Who
- Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Dimple Kapadia and Ritesh Sidhwani attended; Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta were absent.
- What
- The cast and crew of Dil Chahta Hai reunited to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary.
- When
- The film released on August 10, 2001, and the reunion was reported as taking place on Friday, August 28.
- Where
- The reunion was held in Mumbai; Chapora Fort in Goa was highlighted as an iconic filming location.
- Why
- The gathering marked 25 years of Dil Chahta Hai, while fans reacted to the absence of Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta.
- Film
- Dil Chahta Hai
- Release date
- August 10, 2001
- Anniversary
- 25 years
- Reunion location
- Mumbai
- Attendees
- Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Dimple Kapadia and Ritesh Sidhwani
- Absent cast members
- Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta
- Reported film economics
- Budget of Rs 13 crore; worldwide collection of Rs 38 crore
Sources
At Aamir Khan-Saif Ali Khan’s Dil Chahta Hai reunion; fans ask, ‘Where’s Akshaye Khanna?’
‘Where is Rahman Dakait’: Fans question Akshay Khanna’s absence at ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ reunion
