Sonali Kulkarni Celebrates 25 Years of Dil Chahta Hai

Mumbai: As the cult classic Dil Chahta Hai completes 25 years on August 10, acclaimed actress Sonali Kulkarni is celebrating the milestone with gratitude and nostalgia, revisiting the film that became a defining chapter in her career. Marking its silver jubilee, Sonali shared glimpses of the film’s original bound script on Instagram along with a heartfelt note reflecting on the journey.

Reflecting on the film’s enduring legacy, Sonali said, “Dil Chahta Hai still feels as fresh and relevant as ever. It’s an iconic film that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so. For me, it is a milestone in my life and career. My track in the film, especially Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan, continues to receive so much love even today. It’s heartwarming to see audiences revisit the film generation after generation. I’m going to be ever grateful to Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani for giving me DCH – I feel proud to be a part of Excel Entertainment’s first-ever project.”

Looking back at the making of the film, Sonali recalled that no one on set imagined they were creating a cinematic landmark. “The atmosphere was so youthful, energetic and full of humour. We were simply a group of passionate people trying to make something beautiful. Nobody dreamt that we were making a film that would become a milestone for generations,” she shared.

The actress also recalled how she was cast in the film and the unforgettable experience of working with Zoya Akhtar, who was the casting director and chief AD ,back then, on the project. Sonali shared, “It’s almost a filmy story. My photographs accidentally fell out of someone’s file, and Zoya happened to notice them. She had already seen my work in films like Daayra, Mukta and Dr. Ambedkar and called me to audition for Pooja. The audition itself was filled with laughter and improvisation. I instantly fell in love with the warmth of the team and knew I wanted to be a part of this world.”

Coming from a modest background in Pune, Sonali says Dil Chahta Hai introduced her to an entirely new world of fashion and contemporary cinema. Sonali shares, “I come from a simple family, and Pune wasn’t the bustling city it is today. I wasn’t exposed to the world of fashion, luxury or the lifestyle that surrounded Dil Chahta Hai. Zoya became the person who gently introduced me to that world. What I admire most about her is that despite her incredible sense of style and creative vision, she has always remained grounded. She truly loves cinema, and that authenticity reflects in everything she creates. I will always be grateful to her for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be part of a film that has become a cultural landmark in Indian cinema.”

One of the biggest highlights of the film remains Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan, featuring Sonali opposite Saif Ali Khan. Recalling the shoot, she revealed that the rehearsal lasted barely a few minutes because choreographer Farah Khan’s team felt she had already mastered the steps. “I was told I could rehearse only for a few hours because I had to leave for my theatre performance. But after barely 10 or 15 minutes, they told me, ‘You’re ready, we’ll see you on set.’ I was terrified because I thought I needed more practice, but they assured me everything was perfect.”
The actress fondly remembered how the entire cast constantly burst into laughter during the song’s shoot. “When I appeared in that body-hugging Punjabi suit and bouffant hairstyle, Saif couldn’t stop laughing. He joked that he felt like he was dancing with his mother (Sharmila Tagore) because of the hairstyle. Every sequence- from recreating classic Bollywood eras to the tiny comic expressions—was filled with laughter. Even today, it feels like we shot the song only yesterday.”

Sonali also spoke warmly about her effortless chemistry with Saif Ali Khan. “Working with Saif was so easy. We clicked from our very first scene together, and his comic timing is extraordinary. Many scenes had to be retaken because I simply couldn’t stop laughing. I had fallen in love with Saif as an actor in Dil Chahta Hai, and that admiration only grew over the years as we saw his comic timing and his sharp sense of humour. Saif has such a unique, friendly vibe. Working with each other felt effortless.”

She further credited Farhan Akhtar’s clarity as a first-time filmmaker for shaping the film’s success. “Farhan may have been making his directorial debut, but he was remarkably composed and well prepared. We had a bound script, everything was structured and he knew exactly what he wanted. It truly felt like a group of talented youngsters creating something special.”

Sharing memories from the set, Sonali recalled celebrating one of her most memorable birthdays during the film’s shoot. She was surprised when the entire cast, including Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta and the crew, celebrated with her after Zoya announced her birthday over the megaphone. Aamir Khan and his then-wife Reena even gifted her signed books, making it one of her most cherished birthdays.

Reflecting on why Dil Chahta Hai continues to resonate across generations, Sonali said, “What makes the film timeless is its writing. At its heart, it’s a beautiful story about friendship and that phase of life when people are stepping into adulthood and making important choices. Those emotions belong to everyone. That’s why even today, audiences continue to connect with it as if it were their own story.”