Isha Koppikar says she regrets missing out on 'Dil Chahta Hai': 'Once I commit to something...this Salman Khan dialogue is for my life'

Isha Koppikar, who has featured in films like 'Krishna Cottage', 'Don' and 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?,' and known for a number of memorable songs like 'Khallas' has been away from the movies for a while. In a recent interview, as Isha opened up on her journey, she also spoke about some of her missed opportunities which could have affected her career. The actress revealed that she was once considered for a role in Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai (2001), but had to decline the offer due to a prior professional commitment.

Isha shared that she had already signed 'Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat' at the time, which ultimately led her to let go of 'Dil Chahta Hai'. In hindsight, she admits the decision still weighs heavily on her and calls it the biggest regret of her life. Farhan Akhtar’s debut directorial, starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta, later went on to achieve cult status.




Isha said in an interview with Bollywood Bubble, “It is my life’s biggest regret of refusing to do Dil Chahta Hai. I had signed the film Pyaar Ishq Mohabbat, and I could have easily told the producer and the director that I also want to do Dil Chahta Hai or that I want to leave your film for Dil Chahta Hai, but I had no one to guide me at that time, and my values in life are so high that once I commit to something, I don’t listen to myself. I think this Salman Khan dialogue is for my life.”

She further explained the moral dilemma that stopped her from reconsidering the decision at the time. “I thought how can I betray them after signing their film? I feel that I should have done some jugaad. I could have done both or chosen Dil Chahta Hai over it because unfortunately, Pyar Ishq Mohabbat did not become such a massive hit and Dil Chahta Hai was like a cult film.”

Isha was reportedly approached for the role of Pooja, Saif Ali Khan’s love interest in Dil Chahta Hai — a character that was eventually played by Sonali Kulkarni.

Both films released in 2001. While Dil Chahta Hai redefined urban storytelling in Hindi cinema, Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, directed by Rajiv Rai and starring Arjun Rampal, Suniel Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani and Keerthi Reddy, failed to make an impact at the box officeGet the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”