It has been 25 years since Dil Chahta Hai arrived in theatres and gave Bollywood a fresh take on friendship, relationships and growing up. To mark the milestone, the film’s cast and makers reunited in Mumbai on August 28, looking back at the memories and moments that shaped Farhan Akhtar ‘s directorial debut. Farhan, Ritesh Sidhwani, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan , Dimple Kapadia and Sonali Kulkarni were part of the special reunion. The group came together for a conversation and also posed for pictures, taking a trip down memory lane as they revisited their experiences of making a film that went on to become a favourite across generations.
The film followed three college friends, played by Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, as they navigated adulthood, relationships and their different paths in life. Released in 2001, Dil Chahta Hai was one of the films that changed the way Bollywood portrayed modern urban life, friendships and relationships.
Dimple Kapadia on taking up Tara’s role
Dimple Kapadia revealed that she wasn’t immediately convinced about playing Tara, especially given the unusual nature of her character’s relationship with a much younger man. But the story and the role eventually won her over, despite her initial reservations. Saif Ali Khan revealed that he was not immediately convinced about doing Dil Chahta Hai.
“I absolutely fell in love with the story. I thought it was brilliant. Around the same time, he had offers to play the lead in two other films, so he was hesitant about taking on a role that was part of an ensemble rather than being the film’s only hero. Dimple Kapadia remembered stepping in to convince him. “Saif, you have to do this film. It’s a fantastic role.
And it was flattering to my ego that a younger guy is in love with me,” she said. “But I don’t recommend it at all,” she shared with We Are Yuvaa YouTube channel. How can you not do this film?” she told him.
