MUMBAI — Decades after shaping the visual language of Hindi cinema's romantic musicals, actor Karisma Kapoor and choreographer Geeta Kapur shared an intimate look back at their first professional encounter on the set of Yash Chopra’s 1997 classic Dil To Pagal Hai.
The nostalgia unfolded during a taping of Sony Entertainment Television’s India’s Best Dancer Season 5, where both industry veterans serve as judges. The upcoming episode, themed "India Wala Dance," brings together direct commentary and on-set reflections from both artists regarding their initial meeting during the filming of the hit track Pyaar Kar.
A First Impression on Set
Kapur, who started her career as an assistant choreographer under Shiamak Davar, recalled being struck by Kapoor's demeanor when they met in 1996. At the time, Kapoor was already an established leading star in Indian cinema.
"I was just beginning my journey as an assistant choreographer while you were shooting the Pyaar Kar sequence," Kapur stated during the broadcast. "I met you for the first time and thought you were gorgeous. You were already an established star, but you treated me with a lot of love and respect. I still remember that first glimpse—you were wearing a light blue gown."
Tough Choreography and High Expectations
While the pair did not collaborate directly on feature films following Dil To Pagal Hai, their professional relationship continued across numerous international stage tours and live performances. Kapoor recalled Kapur's rigorous standards as a routine director during those live shows.
"Geeta was there in full force," Kapoor shared during the taping. "She showed me the routine, and I was like, 'What is happening?' The other artists were getting simpler steps, and I was assigned something akin to a Michael Jackson routine. I said, 'Geeta, this isn't fair. You're giving everyone else easy steps.' But Geeta just looked at me and said, 'You can do it.'"
The Legacy of 'Dil To Pagal Hai'
Released in 1997 under Yash Raj Films, Dil To Pagal Hai remains a benchmark for contemporary dance and romance in Hindi cinema. Directed by Yash Chopra, the film starred Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul, Madhuri Dixit as Pooja, Kapoor as Nisha, and Akshay Kumar in an extended guest appearance as Ajay.
The narrative centered on a professional dance troupe led by Rahul, navigating unrequited love and artistic ambition. When Kapoor's character, Nisha, suffers a performance injury, Rahul recruits Pooja, sparking a romantic sequence of events that redefined musical storytelling in Indian film.
The track Pyaar Kar, composed by Uttam Singh with lyrics by Anand Bakshi and vocals by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan, continues to be cited by music archivists and fans as one of the standout romantic compositions of late-90s Bollywood.