Dil To Pagal Hai

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 is the first mainstream Bollywood film I've ever seen and I loved it! And I don't even like musicals! The part that got to me was the romance. I've always been a dreamer and I'm a sucker for the stuff in this film.

I also liked much of the dancing. It was more modern and Western than I expected. I'm anything but a dance connoisseur, but I preferred the stuff in this film to Alvin Ailey by a longshot. I'm looking forward to watching more Bollywood films now, though the selection of them with English subtitles is less than I would like.

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

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!

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.