Dil Chahta Hai Completes 20 Years: Suchitra Pillai Recalls Her First Meeting With Saif Ali Khan; Says, 'I Fell Down When I First Met Him, He Is Pure Classy’ - EXCLUSIVE

 Congratulations on 20 years of Dil Chahta Hai, how does it feel to you know relive the film?

It’s absolutely fantastic, because no matter how much time has passed frankly speaking; even today seven- eight times out of ten, people would come and say to me you are the Dil Chahta Hai girl!  It’s a wonderful feeling to have been a part of a path-breaking film. It’s a moment of pride for me and 20 years probably, it’s a reminder of my age now (laughs)

You knew Farhan Akhtar (director) before the film but how was your first meeting with the cast?

Yes, Farhan I knew him from before he started anything, he was just 24 then. One day he calls me and says, “By the way Suchi you’re in my film” and I said, “what oh” he continues, 'I want you in this role and I want you to do it. And I said, “wow that’s great yeah“. So I went to his office we were talking about the script and then he says, 'oh by the way meet Saif Ali Khan, he is your co-star and I really fell down over there. I was very surprised because Saif at that point was doing all the hit films and I was cast opposite him. I didn't have to audition but Farhan made us act the scene on the spot. We (Saif and I) were asked to jog in his office and that's the scene in the film. Farhan has always been like that, funny, and that’s why I had complete confidence about him giving me that role. I knew whatever Farhan writes is going to be something fantastic which is why even a small role of like that today is remembered.

How was the atmosphere on the sets while shooting with three boys- Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshay Khanna?

There was no 'I am the star' kind of attitude at all. None of the three boys had that air about themselves. Frankly, Saif was quite a clown on the set. During the shoot of the song Koi Kahin, Saif and I, along with the boys had to discuss something, but Saif would come and whisper some nonsense or the other in my ears,  which would make me lose my concentration and start laughing, which made Farhan mad. But really Saif is a wonderful guy, a pure class. And even Aamir and Akshay they were all good. I had a wonderful rapport with them. It was really a fantastic experience.

 Lastly, it’s been 27 years for you in the industry, is there some role or a character you still wish to explore?

I want to do Umrao Jaan, Rekha’s role, because for me in a movie like this I'll get to dance. I would have loved to learn khatak. Also would like to do films that Shabana Azmi did, I would love to do those genre films.

Relive the magic of Dil Chahta Hai on &pictures on 10th August. 

Image source/Instagram