Aug 08, 2026 6:00pm IST
Sonali Kulkarni on 25 Years of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’: Saif Ali Khan’s Charm, Aamir Khan’s Pranks and the Film’s Enduring Legacy (EXCLUSIVE)
As “Dil Chahta Hai” marks 25 years, Sonali Kulkarni looks back on the film that redefined friendship and modern Hindi cinema. Marking Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut, the film centered on the enduring friendship between Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, with Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia in pivotal roles. In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Kulkarni reflects on the film’s enduring legacy, behind-the-scenes memories and why it continues to resonate across generations.
Before ‘Dil Chahta Hai,’ you were seen in intense roles in Hindi and Marathi films. How did this slice-of-life urban film come your way?
I was playing intense roles in regional and international films that were doing the rounds of film festivals. But my photos happened to fall from someone’s file, and Zoya Aktar happened to see them. Then, she contacted me, asking me to audition for Pooja’s role. That’s how it started. I loved the script and still have the copy given to me. I loved the writing, especially the dialogues, because it’s very difficult to write something simple. The friendship between these three boys was like a breath of fresh air. That was the time when issue-based films were being made in India. This film was celebrating friendship and had such intricacies, drama, and emotions.
While making the film, did any of you on set have an inkling that you were making a special movie?
Absolutely not. The vibe on the set was so youthful and filled with humor that we just felt that we were making something nice. We never imagined that we were making an iconic film. I think everybody was hardworking, passionate and out there to make something good. I was so fascinated to see Zoya (Akhtar) and Farhan (Akhtar), the lineage that they carry. They’re genuine cinema lovers. It was Farhan’s directorial debut, and Zoya was his chief assistant director; Ritesh (Sidhwani) was their best friend; It felt like a dream set. There was discipline, respect for time and rehearsals and everything.
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The song ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahan’ and its hook step are remembered even today. What are your memories of shooting it?
The song came together towards the end of the shoot. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were composing the music. When it worked out, they called me for rehearsals on one particular day. I told them that I could rehearse only for four hours because I was performing a play on the same day. Geeta Kapur (choreographer Farah Khan’s assistant at the time) was there to show me the steps. I performed them, and within 10-15 minutes they allowed me to leave. They told me that we’d be shooting directly after this. I was a little scared and told them that I could do more. But they said that I had done well and we’d meet at the shoot. It was such a simple step.
When I arrived for the shoot in the body-hugging salwar kameez and the bouffant, Saif (Saif Ali Khan) couldn’t stop laughing. He felt that he was dancing in his mom’s (Sharmila Tagore) era. I remember everyone was rolling on the floor laughing when Saif and I were seated on the bonnet of the car. We burst out laughing whenever we see each other even today.
You were cast opposite Saif Ali Khan. What was working with him like?
I fell in love with Saif as an actor in “Dil Chahta Hai.” He has such a unique, friendly vibe. Farhan was always there with us to help us. We clicked right from the first scene. Saif is such a warm and loving co-star. He was fabulous, and his comic timing was amazing.
Farhan Akhtar made his directorial debut with the film. Did the set feel like a well-oiled production, or more like a group of young creatives discovering cinema together?
Farhan was incredibly prepared, confident and clear about what he wanted. I remember his first daughter was born while we were shooting the film. The set was full of talented young people, but everything was remarkably organized. We had a bound script, and when a director has such clarity of vision, everyone is able to flourish. That’s exactly what happened with Farhan.
What are your fondest memories from the shoot of the film?
I have so many memories. I had asked Aamir Khan whether his goatee was real or fake. He asked me to pull his beard and see if it was real. He was very mischievous. Another hilarious incident I remember was when someone’s phone rang in the middle of a take. At the time, mobile phones were still new and weren’t allowed on set. We were shooting a scene, and someone’s mobile started ringing in the middle of the take. Ritesh got upset and he shouted, “Who had the guts to carry the phone during the take?” Dimple (Kapadia) ma’am quietly said, “It’s mine, Ritesh.” You can only imagine Ritesh’s reaction. Who would yell at Dimple ma’am?
Do people still talk to you about the film?
Even today, at any event that I attend, “Woh Ladki Hai Kahan” is played. It’s adorable. People often quote dialogues like, “Cake khane ke liye him kahin bhi jaa sakte hain,” or “Ya toh yeh dosti gehri hai, ya yeh photo 3D hai.” I often have people reciting my lines from some of the scenes with Saif. People still recreate Saif’s iconic scene where he pretends to stab himself in the car during a scene with Pooja and Subodh. I get “Tumhe yaad hai Pooja” so many times. The beautiful part is that I still remember the road where we shot that car sequence. Years later, I married someone whose family home was on the same road in Khar. I will always cherish the beautiful memories of the prep, shoot, release and the meals I had at Zoya and Farhan’s house. The warmth that the two siblings gave me was like a grand welcome to the industry. They were sensitive and passionate.
What do you think makes ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ timeless?
I recently watched “Dil Chahta Hai” with my daughter Kaveri. She loved the film, and she had so many observations and appreciation for the film. What makes “Dil Chahta Hai” timeless is its writing. It’s a beautiful story about friendship at a very poignant phase in three people’s lives. They’re all stepping up and making decisions, which is something we all can relate to. It’s not a story about glamorous people. The core of their emotions is very relatable. It feels like our story.
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