For us millennials who grew up in 90s India, Dil To Pagal Hai is a very special film especially because it evokes nostalgia in so many ways. It brings back memories of the classroom, college campus, canteen masti, and so much more. The 1997 film, directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, redefined the Bollywood romance genre with its modern take on love, relationships, and heartbreak.
And fashion! Madhuri Dixit's colourful and flowing sheer-textured suits became all the rage back then. And so did Karisma Kapoor's gym wear, especially at a time when we were just about warming up to the idea of gymming itself. Shah Rukh Khan, as the king of romance, became a 'mass sweetheart', apt considering the massive fan love showered on him. In the character of Rahul, it was the first time that Khan established himself as a passionate dancer who could groove just as well as he could love.
The film's soundtrack, composed by Uttam Singh, was a massive hit, with songs like "Are Re Are" and "Chak Dhoom Dhoom" becoming iconic, which we millennials continue to love to this day. Madhuri as Pooja and Karishma as Nisha gave us major goals — we wanted to be fitter, smarter, and beautiful, just like them.
It was one of Chopra's last films before his retirement and became a significant milestone in his career.
Dil To Pagal Hai captured the essence of urban India of the 90s, portraying Mumbai's cosmopolitan culture, fashion, and lifestyle — everything aspirational about the urban middle class.
In hindsight, here are my key takeaways from the film...
1. Let the heart rule — Pooja (Madhuri's character) makes us want to chase our dreams and do what our heart says. "Bas apne dil ki suno, aur dekho kabhi kuch galat nahin hoga," she says. (Listen to your heart and you'll never find yourself going down the wrong path). Her optimism has worked for me so far.
2. True love will come to you — and the biggest proof is Rahul and Pooja coming together in a happily-ever-after.
3. Unconditional Friendship: Rahul and Nisha's friendship became a sort of reference point for all college-going millennials — Who wouldn't want that one person who'd visit you in the hospital when you're nursing a broken leg? Or he who will safely escort you back home after you're completely sloshed at the pool party...
4. Prioritise the self — The movie teaches us a thing or two about the power of selfless love... Each character, right from Rahul to Pooja to Nisha and her house help, wants you to know that there is no bigger love than self-love at any point in life. None of the three leads ever compromise on their passion for the arts, be it dance or music.
5. Talk more to love better — How else could the misunderstandings between Rahul and Pooja be solved, had they both chosen to let their silence do the talking?
