MUMBAI: Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment is gearing up to release two films per year. Plans that were made at the beginning of the year have been executed and now expansion is the key for this banner, which has produced cult films like Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On and Luck By Chance.

The production house has as many as five films in the pipeline with different directors that are currently in various stages of production.

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, Sidhwani said, "We have almost finished shooting for Karthik Calling Karthik. One song is left to be picturised, which should be filmed in October, once Deepika Padukone is back after shooting for Sajid Khan’s film Housefull and Farhan is finished with scripting the sequel to Don. Speaking about Don, we are getting ready with our pre-production and are likely to shoot by August next year."

There are several filmmakers who are currently making plans to shoot for this banner. Reema Kagti, who directed Honeymoon Travels, is getting ready with her film. Sidhwani also informs that Abhinay Deo is starting his film tentatively titled Crooked with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on 4 January, next year. Director Zoya Akhtar, who directed Luck By Chance, is currently talent scouting for her next film, which is slated to start by April. Last but not the least, Rock On director Abhishek Kapoor is also gearing up to making his next film.

Elaborating on his plans, Sidhwani said, "We would ideally like to release two films a year. Now we are in a position to do so. More than that becomes a tad too hectic as each film requires a certain amount of marketing and positioning, or else we will lose objectivity."   

With novel ideas executed in the entertainment mould, Excel Entertainment has succeeded in achieving the fine balance and its movies are often eagerly awaited. The latest offering will be Karthik Calling Karthik, which has the unusual cast of Farhan and Deepika.