Overview
- Saif Ali Khan spoke about the film in a new Variety India interview reported Saturday, June 13, 2026, saying the Goa shoots felt like a holiday and the set was “insane” fun.
- He praised Farhan Akhtar’s ease on set, saying it “was like he was born to direct,” and described a low‑tension working environment where actors were simply told to learn their lines.
- Saif recalled the production’s tight planning, saying assistant directors estimated a 105‑day schedule and the shoot wrapped on the 105th day.
- Dil Chahta Hai was released on August 10, 2001, starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, and is widely seen as a turning point in modern urban Hindi cinema.
- The film grew into a cult favourite, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and these anniversary recollections reaffirm Farhan Akhtar’s reputation as an influential new voice in Bollywood.