Dil Toh Pagal Hai

Dil To Pagal Hai is a wonderfully made movie - entertaining, impressive and romantic. I appreciate the fact that Chopra kept updating his style with every new film. This is one film in which the songs are mostly a part of the storyline and the movie can be rightly described as a romantic musical, and not just because it's Bollywood. Where the music goes, Uttam's soundtrack is totally excellent, but more than anything the way in which the songs are presented is exemplary. This film actually bears the stamp of Hindi cinema's immense talent in making musicals. No one can do it better, and that's not about the choreography or the technical brilliance, it's more about the soul. The numbers are evidently very well invested (the foremost example being the very first song, "Le Gayee", which is a part of the show and a great opening), spectacularly danced and are really fun to watch, but there's something else in there, a kind of charm that is hard to explain in words.

Dil To Pagal Hai indulges in its romanticism but what I found great about it is its totally realistic portrayal of young artists. Chopra strikes an amazing balance between contemporary culture and poetic romanticism. While some of the dialogue is a bit cheesy, most of it is actually very real and has some sense of everyday reality. Chopra portrays the troupe of Shahrukh as a totally modern one, while the character of Madhuri and her soft romantic nature is actually deprecated even by some of the characters in the film itself. But the whole theory of the film, which tries to convey a message that somewhere someone is made for you, is quite interesting and inspiring despite its cheesiness. The film is never overly melodramatic or gushing in its emotional quotient. It tries to present itself as a simple love story, which does not work with a larger-than-life story but rather an episode in which true romance comes in the middle of happy-go-lucky, hardly-romantic people.

The story itself may actually be one of the film's weakest links, but the script and the execution, along with the technical brilliance and the soul which the director injects it with, elevate the picture to an altogether different level. Yash Chopra should be remembered for his ability to make a film with a stale story and yet infuse it with new-found energy. He, in a way, proved at that time that one need not make a sobby melodrama in order to make a good film. Dil To Pagal Hai is high on production values - the art direction is fantastic, and the cinematography is very good. As mentioned above, the songs actually work well with the film's story because it is about dancers. My favourite dance performance which is also one of my favourite moments in the film is the "Dance of Envy" between Madhuri and Karisma, which is astonishingly gripping and reminiscent of Sridevi's amazing "Moments of Rage" number from Chopra's Lamhe, and here too there's a certain psychological tension which is very well handled.

Where acting goes, Madhuri Dixit is the perfect Hindi film heroine - beautiful, gentle, charming and a stupendous dancer. Here she is wonderful as Pooja, proving you don't have to cry buckets and scream ceaselessly to deliver a completely good performance. She's dreamy and innocent, and there's something genuinely sincere about the way she delivers many of her clichéd dialogues, which could have easily made any other actress look cheesy and embarrassing. Shahrukh Khan is excellent and typically energetic. Yes, this is not a Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa or a Dil Se in which he had rich, complex roles, but his character is very good within the parameters of this film, and he is thoroughly convincing. Akshay Kumar in what, sadly, is one of his best roles at that time, is very efficient and suitably restrained. Yet, without a doubt, the show is totally stolen by Karisma Kapoor in a brilliantly self-assured performance full of passion and emotional commitment. She is totally there, expressive, heartfelt, and extremely impressive in her dance numbers.

I know many disagree with me on this one (for all I care), but I think it deserves great praise for handling a cheesy subject with sophistication and style. Dil To Pagal Hai is classic Bollywood entertainment - lighthearted, positive, and with a slight touch of a new India which must have been very refreshing for those times. Personally I may be a little biased since it does hold some nostalgic value for me, but even watching it today I loved the spectacular numbers, the melodious songs (long live Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and the whole team of wonderful playback singers assigned to the brilliant soundtrack), the modern characters and even the love story which is efficiently incorporated into the stage shows, showing how art imitates life and vice versa within the film.

This film is a pleasant watch at least for fans of long Bollywood romances. Directed by Yash Chopra, its basically a long love triangle between Shahrukh, Karishma and Madhuri, with a brief cameo appearance by Akshay Kumar. The songs make the movie. They are melodious and well choreographed, specially the competition between Karishma and Madhuri. The main drawback - an overlong plot and sluggish pace in the second half. The film wants to be a feel-good romance complete with flowers and chocolates but it outstays its welcome by at least half an hour. Watchable on DVD/television.

Overall 6/10

I first saw the film in 1998, and I was never tired of seeing the film again and again. Karishma Kapoor as Nisha gave a first rate performance even though she played second fiddle to Madhuri Dixit (Pooja). The story revolves around the life of dancers. Nisha and Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) are best friends. Unknown to Rahul, Nisha secretly loved him. Pooja came into the scene after Nisha accidentally slipped her foot during dancing practice for Rahul's next production drama entitled Maya. Desperate to search for Nisha's replacement, Rahul saw Pooja dancing in the studio. Pooja eventually replaced Nisha. During the production, Pooja and Rahul feel in love. Problem came early, since Pooja was engaged to marry Ajay (Akshay Kumar). The story is aim towards loving couples questioning about their own love to each other. Watch for the dancing steps of Karishma and Shahrukh, both were highly praised in the film for such energetic dance numbers.

This film has reached expectations beyond belief and it is no surprise that Dil Tu Pagal Hai was done by none other than Yash Chopra. I'm into musicals and romances, which was probably why I adore this film and is the best. The performances were phenomenal, but that is no surprise coming from stars such as Shah Rukh Khan who is the 'Baadshah' of Bollywood (plus i recommend you watch Veer-Zaara - that film I think surpasses this one in some scenes). Madhuri Dixit had come back again in this film after Hum Aapke Hain Kaun... and to me she is the best dancer and actress I have ever seen in Bollywood. Karisma Kapoor was exceptional as Nisha in the film and I think no one else could have done her role better as the modern Indian girl - though now it is seen in practically all Yash Raj films (e.g. Mujhse Dosti Karogi). Watch the film and hopefully you'll love it as much as me.

One of the last movies coming from the Yashraj banner where quality stood sacrosanct. Every department exhibits the Yash Raj signature stamp over it. As usual Yash Raj takes a single theme and puts his heart and soul into it ensuring the audience feels and connects. With Dil Toh Paagal Hain he attempts to convey "Someone..... Somewhere..... is made for you" and it comes across poetically beautiful.

¤ SRK:: He hams to his very best, but guess what? It goes extremely well with the character of Rahul. Rightfully, he is very soul of DTPH.

¤ Madhuri Dixit:: The first-choice of "Darr" gets opportunity to work with Yashraj. She was spot-on in the character. And was absolutely gorgeous (special credits the costumes/ wardrobe department).

¤ Karishma:: Fantastic performance. Call it ill-fate or whatever, post- Yash raj practically every top-actress begins her journey towards exit.

¤ Akshay Kumar:: His cameo was supposed to be the surprise element which later on many copied. He was extremely raw in terms of performance but hey, he got the best song (the title song).

¤ Aruna Irani:: Another important cameo which was effectively incorporated into the storyline as an important cog-in-the-wheel. And she delivered the goods to the utmost satisfaction.

Music is one of the strong-points of DTPH. A couple of listens and they linger on for years to come. When it comes to Yashraj the lyrics from Anand Bakshi are a notch above the his usual. Playback from Lata was at its angelic best (and perhaps the last!). Costumes/ wardrobe were aesthetically beautiful. Manmohan Singh carries his signature style when it comes to DOP. Choreography was different from the Shiamak Davar group. Special mention is deserved for the story/ screenplay & dialogues.

Finally the best part was the opening credits which truly communicates the entire message of the movie - simply awesome. Hats off Yash-ji!