Oct 21, 2026 8:00pm IST
Dia Mirza on 25 Years of ‘RHTDM’: ‘People Loved The Characters, But We Must Question What We Romanticized Then’ (EXCLUSIVE)
As “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein” (RHTDM) marks 25 years since its release, Dia Mirza reflects on the film’s unexpected journey from a modest 2001 release to an enduring cult classic.
When did you first realize that ‘RHTDM’ had become a cult favorite among young audiences?
I don’t think there was one defining moment. It was a gradual realization. The film had a life of its own, even when we weren’t looking. When “RHTDM” was released in 2001, it didn’t receive the theatrical success we had hoped for. But over the years, people embraced the film, its music and its characters. I began meeting people who told me they had fallen in love with “Zara Zara,” had watched the film countless times, and associated Reena and Maddy with their own memories of first love. When the film was re-released in cinemas, watching a new generation celebrate it was incredibly moving. In many ways, the audience gave this film its second life. That kind of love cannot be manufactured.
R Madhavan’s introduction in the film involves impersonation, college ragging and stalking. If Reena (played by Dia Mirza) met Maddy (played by R Madhavan) on a dating app today, would she swipe left or would she still fall for him?
I think Reena in 2026 would definitely have a few very important questions for Maddy! We have to recognize that the way we understand relationships, consent and personal boundaries has evolved, and rightly so. There are aspects of Maddy’s behavior that we romanticized in cinema 25 years ago that we must question today. Impersonation, dishonesty and refusing to respect someone’s boundaries cannot be justified in the name of love. But I also think audiences connected with the vulnerability, intensity and emotional longing of these characters. I would love for a contemporary Maddy to have the courage to be honest about his feelings, respect Reena’s choices, and understand that love isn’t about possessing someone. The most romantic thing a person can offer another is honesty, kindness, respect and the freedom to choose.
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People still debate whether Reena should have ended up with Madhavan or Sam (played by Saif Ali Khan), who came across as a sorted, successful and mature man. How do you view these discussions?
I love how passionately people still debate this! I don’t think love has ever followed a checklist. Someone can be wonderful on paper and yet not be the person your heart connects with. Sam was a lovely character, and Saif brought such warmth and dignity to him. But Reena’s emotional connection with Maddy was something she couldn’t deny. At 19, when I played Reena, I understood the magic of that overwhelming, all-consuming first love. At this stage of my life, I also understand that lasting love needs trust, emotional maturity, friendship and mutual respect. Perhaps the question isn’t whether Reena chose the wrong man. It’s whether Maddy was willing to grow into the partner she deserved. Because falling in love is one thing. Learning how to love someone well is quite another.
‘RHTDM’ is a time capsule of early 2000s fashion. Was there any look that felt cool then but seems questionable now?
Oh, the early 2000s were such a fascinating time for fashion! The hairstyles, makeup, silhouettes, and accessories—everything felt so distinctly that era. When I look back at the photographs now, I see a very young girl discovering herself, both as a person and as an actor. I don’t think I would call any of it ridiculous because those choices are such an endearing part of the film’s identity. What I find beautiful is that fashion is cyclical. So many things we thought we had left behind are finding their way back into wardrobes today. Honestly, I still love Reena’s simplicity. There was an innocence and an effortless quality to her that I think has aged rather beautifully.
After ‘RHTDM,’ did makers attempt to cast you and Madhavan together again?
I think one of the reasons people have wanted to see us together again is because the affection for Maddy and Reena has never really faded. Over the years, there have been conversations about working together again, but there has to be a story that genuinely excites both of us. I would love to work with him again. But I would want us to explore who we are as actors today, rather than simply recreate something we did 25 years ago. Who knows? Perhaps the right story is still waiting for us.
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