10/10 If You Can Identify Who Persuaded Shiamak Davar To Produce Dil To Pagal Hai, Starring Shah Rukh Khan

About 25 years ago, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Karishma Kapoor starred in the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai, which went on to become a famous Bollywood treasure. Its unique, thrilling dancing sequences were what really grabbed the audience’s attention. The movie had a lasting impact on Bollywood, from Karishma’s daring dances in Le Gayi to Shah Rukh and Madhuri’s captivating chemistry in Koi Ladki Hai. Renowned choreographer Shiamak Davar is the one responsible for these legendary performances. However, what many people may not realize is that Shiamak’s participation as the film’s choreographer—who transformed common moves into iconic dance routines—came about due to the strong advocacy of Shah Rukh and director Yash Chopra.

Shiamak revealed the backstory of his role in the movie in an interview with CNBC-TV18. Everything started when Shiamak’s student at the time and wife of Shah Rukh, Gauri Khan, contacted him out of the blue to tell the famous person wanted to see him. When Shiamak heard this, she was shocked and said, “What?” He then told the story of how Shah Rukh asked him to dinner, told him about Dil Toh Pagal Hai, and that he wanted Shiamak to choreograph it.

Astonished, Shiamak said, “Are you mad?” He acknowledged that the film’s failure may result from spectators not connecting with his dancing technique, which primarily leaned Western. The actor persisted, saying, “No, I want it, I don’t care,” despite this. He went on to say that Shiamak’s own dancers may potentially be used for the movie, as proposed by Yash Chopra, Shiamak’s uncle.

Shiamak concluded by saying, “I would never have done it because my journey was so difficult just to be recognised as a dancer, forget choreographer and singer. It was Shah Rukh’s forcing and Yash uncle’s mad love for me.”

“Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan’s role in my journey to choreograph Dil To Pagal Hai is a story worth sharing,” Shiamak said on Instagram after posting the video.

Shiamak received the coveted National Film Award for his role in Dil To Pagal Hai in recognition of his exceptional performance. The Honorable former President of India, K.R. Narayanan, gave the award. Davar’s storied career took a major turn when he made the film, which fueled his incredible journey into choreography. He went on to do popular dance routines for several films, including Dhoom 2, Taal, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Jagga Jasoos, Bunty Aur Babli 2, and others.