Dil Chahta Hai Was Originally Written in English, Reveals Aamir Khan at Reunion
During a 25th-anniversary reunion event for the iconic film Dil Chahta Hai, actor Aamir Khan shared details about the movie’s early development, revealing that director Farhan Akhtar originally wrote the entire screenplay and dialogue in English.
What Happened
The Dil Chahta Hai reunion took place on August 28 at a suburban hotel in Mumbai, organized jointly by Amazon Music and We Are Yuva. The gathering brought together key members of the production, including Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sonali Kulkarni, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, and Loy Mendonsa.
Reflecting on the film’s inception, Aamir Khan shared that Farhan Akhtar initially narrated a draft written entirely in English. The English dialogue matched the specific background and milieu of the characters. While Khan admired the story immediately, he questioned how the narrative would function as a Hindi film.
According to Khan, he expressed doubts about whether the distinct tone and economy of the English draft could survive translation. He asked Akhtar to rewrite the script in Hindi and present it again. Akhtar requested a couple of months to complete the transition. Khan admitted he initially anticipated the Hindi translation might make him cringe, but he was ultimately impressed when Akhtar presented the translated version, proving to him that modern appeal and emotion could be captured effectively in Hindi.
Key Highlights
- Initial Language: Director Farhan Akhtar wrote the original script and character dialogues completely in English.
- Khan’s Initial Skepticism: Aamir Khan loved the English narration but doubted the tone could be preserved in Hindi, expecting he might cringe at the translated version.
- Rewrite Timeline: Farhan Akhtar asked for a couple of months to prepare the Hindi draft, which completely convinced Khan upon delivery.
- Reunion Details: The event was organized by Amazon Music and We Are Yuva in Mumbai to mark 25 years of the film, attended by the cast, crew, and music composers.
- Character Origins: Akhtar noted he drew inspiration from real-life acquaintances when crafting the film’s characters, despite telling them at the time that the roles were entirely fictional.
Why This Matters
The disclosure offers insight into the writing and creative translation process behind Dil Chahta Hai. As Khan explained, the experience challenged his preconception that English was uniquely suited for modern or casual dialogue, demonstrating that emotional depth and contemporary flavor can be conveyed just as effectively in Hindi when handled skillfully.
What to Watch Next
Additional anecdotes and discussions from the cast and crew may emerge following the commemorative reunion hosted by Amazon Music and We Are Yuva.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Dil Chahta Hai originally written in English?
According to Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar wrote the original script in English because the language felt natural to the background and milieu of the characters.
What was Aamir Khan’s reaction to the first Hindi draft?
Although Khan expected he might cringe, he stated he was blown away by the Hindi draft, realizing that any language can capture a modern, relatable tone when written properly.
Source: Bollywood Hungama