Actress Preity Zinta took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about her experience shooting for Mani Ratnam’s iconic film, “Dil Se.” Being her debut movie, she had anticipated a different journey altogether. Sharing a throwback picture from the sets, Preity recalled how director Mani Ratnam had encouraged her to embrace a natural, fresh-faced look for her role in the film.
This picture was taken on the first day on the set of Dil Se. I was so excited to be working with Mani Ratnam sir & Shah Rukh Khan. When Mani sir saw me he smiled and politely asked me to wash my face…. But sir… my make up will come off, I said smiling …. That’s exactly what I… pic.twitter.com/Lrr6CpSMFA
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) February 8, 2024
Preity expressed her excitement at the prospect of collaborating with Mani Ratnam and her co-star Shah Rukh Khan. However, she never anticipated being asked to remove her makeup. Recounting the incident, she shared on X, “This photo captures my first day on the set of Dil Se. I was thrilled to be working with Mani Ratnam sir and Shah Rukh Khan. When Mani sir saw me, he smiled and politely requested that I wash my face… ‘But sir, my makeup will come off,’ I said with a smile… ‘That’s exactly what I want. Please wash your face,’ he replied with a smile. At first, I thought he was joking… then I realized he wasn’t!”
She expressed gratitude towards cinematographer Santosh Sivan for his skill in making her look stunning even without makeup. Writing on X, she said, “I owe a huge thanks to the incredible Santosh Sivan, our Director of Photography. With his expertise, I filmed with a freshly washed face and managed to pull it off. I suppose he truly captured me Dil Se. #throwbackthursday #Dilse #Memories #Ting”
In 1998 “Dil Se” initially garnered a modest reception at the box office; however, its narrative depth and thematic richness have steadily garnered appreciation over the years. Alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of a radio jockey, the film featured Manisha Koirala in the role of a radicalized terrorist on a mission. Notably, Preity Zinta’s rendition of the song “Jiya Jale,” composed by AR Rahman, has endured as one of the album’s most unforgettable tracks.
