As Dil Chahta Hai completes 25 years today, trade analyst Taran Adarsh looks back at the film’s unconventional journey from a relatively restrained theatrical run to becoming a cult classic. He recalls the skepticism surrounding Farhan Akhtar’s fresh take on friendship and youth, the film’s limited appeal beyond the metros at the time, and how repeated viewings on satellite television and digital platforms eventually turned it into a generational favourite.
Today, Dil Chahta Hai has become a cult. But how did the trade react initially? Is it true that the film didn’t work beyond the metros?
Yeah, actually it was that way where it didn’t really work beyond the metros. But over a period of time, due to multiple viewings on satellite TV, digital media, it has developed a cult following. You know, there are certain films which may not be box office blockbusters, but over a period of time, the audience really takes to them. And they become classics in their own way, where people go back to those films and refer to those films while comparing the new ones also.
But what made DCH so special?
I think it was a very fresh take on friendship, on the youth, on the generation of in those days, 25 years ago. And I remember at that point of time, a lot of people said, “Yeh kya banaya hai?”, you know? Because whenever something different comes out there’s a bit of skepticism. Maybe people back then were not as ready as they’re today. Today’s language is different. I think it is all boils down to a period of time where people actually take to it. Also, the camaraderie between the principal characters and music also contributed.
What do you have to say about Farhan Akhtar making his debut as a director?
It was a very fresh voice. That’s why I said that it takes time for people to settle to it. But now, when I look back, perhaps even I did not like it so much because we had those conventional friendship films, and it did not do the kind of business it would have done, perhaps, today.
