The iconic Bollywood film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, which was released 25 years ago, continues to be remembered for its unforgettable dance sequences and an ensemble cast featuring stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Karisma Kapoor. The magic behind these iconic dance numbers was the work of renowned choreographer Shiamak Davar.
In a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, Shiamak Davar shared the story of how he became involved in the project. The journey began with a surprise phone call from Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, Gauri Khan, who was also a student of Shiamak at the time. Gauri informed him that Shah Rukh wanted to meet him to discuss a potential collaboration.
During their dinner meeting, Shah Rukh Khan shared his vision for ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ and expressed his desire for Shiamak to choreograph the film. Despite his initial hesitation due to concerns about his Western-influenced dance style resonating with Bollywood audiences, Shah Rukh and the film’s director, Yash Chopra, were persistent in convincing Shiamak to take on the project. Yash Chopra even suggested using Shiamak’s own dancers for the film.
Ultimately, Shiamak Davar’s choreography in ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ was widely acclaimed, earning him the prestigious National Film Award for Outstanding Choreography. The award was presented by the Honorable Former President of India, K.R. Narayanan.