Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic performance in Dil Se… (1998) is widely regarded as one of the standout roles of his career, but according to his co-star Manisha Koirala, the ending of the film was not originally written the way audiences saw it. In a recent interview, the veteran actress revealed a significant change in the film’s climax, where Khan’s character was initially not supposed to die.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Dil Se… was a romantic thriller that explored themes of love, terrorism, and sacrifice. The film also starred Koirala as a passionate and complex character, a terrorist with a tragic backstory, and marked the debut of Preity Zinta. While the film garnered critical acclaim for its performances and music, it did not perform as expected at the box office. However, over the years, Dil Se has grown into a cult classic, largely due to its powerful narrative and memorable characters.
Manisha Koirala Reveals Original Script Changes
In the interview with ANI, Manisha shared some intriguing insights into the film’s development. She revealed that in the original script, Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Amar, was not supposed to meet such a tragic fate. “In the original version, he lets her die, and that was agreeable to all of us,” Manisha said, referring to her character, the terrorist named Mohini, and the intense romantic relationship between them.
However, the filmmakers decided to make a last-minute change to the story, where Khan’s character ultimately sacrifices himself for her, resulting in his death. “In the present version, he goes in and he dies,” she added. The shift in the script was a creative decision that altered the emotional impact of the story, making it even more heart-wrenching for the audience.
Manisha Koirala’s Role in Dil Se and the Creative Process
Manisha Koirala also spoke about her character and the opportunity it presented for her as an artist. She explained that when she was offered the role, she had already committed to working with Ram Gopal Varma on another project, but the Dil Se offer intrigued her. “They had other people in mind, and it came to me later. As an artist, I wanted to again explore areas that I had never explored,” she said.
Playing the role of a terrorist was a departure from the kind of roles she had previously been offered, and Mani Ratnam’s direction gave her the chance to break out of her usual on-screen persona. “He [Mani Ratnam] said that I would be playing a terrorist, but he didn’t want me to play it in the typical hard way. I had to be like a normal girl, but still show her pain and anger going beyond reason. It was a great opportunity for me to explore the negative side of a character,” Manisha explained.
Dil Se: A Cult Classic Despite Box Office Struggles
Though Dil Se… did not perform as expected at the box office, the film has since been recognized for its artistry, particularly its music composed by A.R. Rahman, and its exploration of complex socio-political themes. The film’s tragic love story between Amar (Shah Rukh Khan) and Mohini (Manisha Koirala) remains one of the most poignant in Bollywood history.
In addition to its performances, Dil Se also introduced Preity Zinta in a memorable supporting role. Despite its initial commercial failure, the film has earned a lasting place in the hearts of fans and continues to be appreciated for its emotional depth and stunning cinematography.
Manisha Koirala’s Latest Work
Manisha Koirala’s career has been diverse, with roles in both mainstream Bollywood and regional cinema. The actress was recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, a Netflix series set in the world of courtesans, which has been renewed for a second season.
Her candid revelations about Dil Se add an interesting layer to the film’s legacy, showing how even the most iconic films go through multiple creative iterations before arriving at the final cut. Fans of the movie may now wonder how different the emotional impact of Dil Se might have been had the original ending been kept intact.
Conclusion
Dil Se remains one of Mani Ratnam’s most celebrated films, and Manisha Koirala’s revelation about the original script adds another fascinating dimension to its legacy. Despite the changes in the plot, the film continues to be cherished for its intense performances, unforgettable music, and heart-wrenching love story. With Dil Se’s impact still being felt nearly three decades later, it’s clear that its tragic conclusion, while altered from its original form, is exactly what made it unforgettable.
Sources By Agencies
