Dil Toh Pagal Hai faced casting hurdles as actresses, including Karisma Kapoor and Manisha Koirala, initially declined roles due to Madhuri Dixit’s presence and dance prowess. Karisma eventually accepted, winning a National Award, while Manisha regretted her decision. The film, initially offered to Sridevi, became iconic despite the initial reluctance from several leading actresses.
Few films in the ’90s left as lasting an impact as Dil Toh Pagal Hai. But what many don’t know is that the casting of the film wasn’t as seamless as it looked on screen. Years later, Karisma Kapoor and Manisha Koirala reflected on the choices they made around the project—and how those decisions shaped their careers.
Why actresses turned down the film
At the Lady Study Group event in 2024, Karisma recalled how she initially turned down Dil Toh Pagal Hai. She revealed that every actress had refused the film at the time, including herself, as no one was willing to share screen space with Madhuri Dixit.The actress clarified that the refusals were not due to rivalry with Madhuri, but out of fear of matching her dance skills. She said no actress wanted to perform alongside Madhuri—especially in a dance competition sequence.
How Karisma was convinced
However, she changed her mind after finally reading the script. She said she had always admired Madhuri since Ek Do Teen and was a huge fan. When Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra approached her again, urging her to at least listen to the script, she agreed. Karisma admitted that not just her, but most actresses hadn’t even bothered to read the script—they were simply too intimidated to share the screen with Madhuri.After finally reading the script, Karisma decided to take up the role. Encouraged by her mother to push herself in the challenging dance sequences, she went ahead with the film. Looking back, she considers Dil Toh Pagal Hai an iconic project and one of her most memorable experiences working alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Yash Chopra.
An unexpected National Award
Reflecting on her first National Award, Kapoor admitted she never expected to win it. She explained that her role in Dil Toh Pagal Hai was unusual for its time—while most heroines then were shown winning over the hero, her character Nisha, despite being at the peak of her career, did not end up with him. The emotional depth and relatability of the character struck a chord with the audience, making Nisha an iconic figure.Interestingly, before casting Madhuri Dixit as Pooja, Yash Chopra had first approached Sridevi. However, she turned down the offer as she felt the role wasn’t as strong as her part in Lamhe. Once Madhuri was finalized, Chopra still struggled to lock the second female lead. The role was offered to several actresses, including Manisha Koirala, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, and Raveena Tandon, but all of them declined before it eventually went to Karisma Kapoor.
Manisha Koirala’s biggest regret
In an interview with India Today, Manisha Koirala admitted that turning down Dil Toh Pagal Hai remains one of her biggest career regrets. She explained that she was supposed to star opposite Madhuri Dixit but backed out of the project because she felt intimidated.Manisha later redeemed that missed chance when Rajkumar Santoshi offered her Lajja in 2000, which also starred Madhuri. This time, she accepted the role without hesitation. She explained that with a strong filmmaker and greater confidence in herself, she no longer let insecurities hold her back. Looking back, she said she was proud to have been a part of Lajja and considered it one of her most meaningful choices.
