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the grand tapestry of Indian cinema, few films have etched themselves into the cultural consciousness quite like Sanjay Leela Bhansali ’s 'Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam'. Released in 1999 and starring Salman Khan , Aishwarya Rai , and Ajay Devgn, the film wasn’t just a romantic saga—it was a symphony of love, sacrifice, and visual poetry that marked Bhansali’s arrival as a master of cinematic storytelling. As the film completes 26 years, the filmmaker reflects on what made this sweeping love story timeless. From creative battles and casting perfection to the deep emotional energy that powered the film, Bhansali speaks to Etimes with rare honesty about the innocence of that era, his unshakable artistic convictions, and why Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam remains one of the most heartfelt creations of his career.



Many fans consider 'Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam' to be your finest work. Do you agree?
It’s certainly my gentlest film. There’s a certain innocence in the way the romance unfolds. After my first film ( Khamoshi: The Musical) didn’t do well, I wanted to create something without compromise. Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam was that film.

What do you mean by compromise in 'Khamoshi'?
I was forced to shoot an alternate, happy ending due to pressure from distributors who didn’t want a tragic conclusion. But with Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam, I stood firm on the ending I had envisioned from the beginning.

Was there pressure to have Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s character end up with Salman Khan instead of Ajay Devgn?
Yes, there was pressure. But that’s a story I’d prefer to save for another day.

What was it like working with Aishwarya for the first time?
She was my perfect Nandini. I couldn’t have asked for a better embodiment of the character I had in mind. She matched my vision exactly—and that’s a rare experience in my filmmaking journey.

The chemistry between Salman and Aishwarya felt very real. Was there love in the air off-screen too?
I like the way you put it—yes, there was love in the air. But not just between them; there was a lot of affection among all of us. Zohra Sehgalji, Helen Aunty, Salman, Aishwarya, Vikram Gokhale , Smita Jayekar—we were like one big family. I don’t think I’ve had such a fulfilling experience shooting any other film.

Do you think that kind of camaraderie on sets still exists?
Not at all. Today, it’s purely professional. And honestly, I’m fine with that. Times have changed.

If you were to remake Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam, would you change anything?
I wouldn’t remake any of my films—except maybe Khamoshi, and only because of the altered ending. Otherwise, I prefer to leave my stories as they are.
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