Things you absolutely must know about the film which completes two decades today!

The film, which portrays the love lives of dancers in a dance troupe, was promoted as the legendary Yash Chopra’s first musical. With a slew of foot-tapping songs that every ’90s child has jigged to at some time or another, practically every ditty from ‘Legayi Legayi’ , to ‘Chak Dum Dum’, to ‘Arre re arre’ to ‘Bholi si soorat’, still remain hummable.

2.

Chopra was smitten by his lead actor. He said of the star, “Shah Rukh is an excellent actor and beyond that, an excellent human being. His goodness comes on-screen effortlessly.”

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It was the first Bollywood film to be shot at the German tourist attractions of Baden-Baden and Europa Park.

4.

The film went through at least two title changes before it was finally named Dil To Pagal Hai. Maine To Mohabbat Kar Li and Tevar were apparently the two options they toyed with, before Chopra finally made his choice.

5.

No less than five actresses refused the role that Karisma Kapoor finally agreed to do! Apparently the role, subordinate to Madhuri Dixit’s leading role, had been declined by everyone from Manisha Koirala, to Juhi Chawla, to Kajol, Raveena Tandon and even Urmila Matondkar. Urmila had even come on board but quit after a single day of shooting. Karisma agreed to take on the challenge and won herself the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

6.

Watch the song ‘Dil le gayi’ again and if you keep your eyes peeled, chances are you will spot Shahid Kapoor making one of his first appearances on film, as a background dancer!

7.

Shiamak Davar had been roped in to give the dance sequences a more professional touch. Chopra had attended some of his shows and felt the songs of his film, set against the backdrop of a musical, needed Davar’s choreographic style. A few of the romantic songs such as ‘Dholna’ and ‘Pyaar Kar’ had been choreographed by Farah Khan.

8.

A key scene which featured Shah Rukh and Karisma in an emotionally charged moment by a lake required four days before it could finally be shot. Bad weather kept delaying the shoot, to the extent that SRK quipped, “It’s the most brilliant weather for shooting!”