MUMBAI: Farhan Akhtar’s directorial Dil Chahta Hai has become a cult film.
On the day that marks 20 years of the release of the film, award-winning choreographer Farah Khan revealed some interesting stories about it. She even revealed how she bagged the project. She said to media, “You should know that Farhan is my first cousin. And may I remind you I was the top dance director those days? So, what choice did he have? And if I may add, I didn’t charge a single rupee. After all, we’re family.” In an interview with The Quint, she said that when she came into the project (originally titled ‘Hum Teen’), all the actors had been firmed.
Yet, Bollywood natter still claims that initially Hrithik Roshan, on the heels of the super-success of Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai, was approached but nixed the project. Ditto Abhishekh Bachchan. Enter Aamir Khan as Akash, who at 34 had to fashion his look and demeanour to the age of 24, and the project was set to roll. To that Farah’s response is, “Often there are so many nonsensical conjectures about the casting. But to be frank, this could be true. As far as I know, even Shah Rukh Khan was approached.”
The report further stated that Saif Ali Khan, too, was uncertain about signing up as Sameer, but assented on being persuaded by Dimple Kapadia and Javed Akhtar. The partly-autobiographical film shot in Mumbai, Sydney and Goa by the 26-year-old first-time director and writer Farhan Akhtar had a cool corporate vibe, Farah said, “It was as if Miami had landed in Mehboob studios. For the first time, I’d hear words like PA and DA (Personal Assistant and Director’s Assistant) and they’d be carrying walkie-talkies to announce that actors whom they called ‘talent’ was on his or her way from the vanity van to face the camera."
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CREDIT: THE QUINT
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