Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai

Year: 2001

Runtime: 183 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Farhan Akhtar

RomanceDramaMoving relationship storiesBollywood emotional dramasEmotional teen coming-of-age stories

Set against the backdrop of an unforgettable summer, three inseparable childhood friends have just graduated from college and enjoy a carefree bond. Their closeness is tested when each of them falls in love, and their contrasting attitudes toward romance create tension and challenge their friendship.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Trace every key event in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Graduation party fallout: Akash flirts with Shalini

At the college graduation party, Akash flirts with Shalini, who is engaged, drawing the ire of her fiancé Rohit. Rohit punches Akash in front of friends, signaling the fragile boundaries of loyalty and attraction. The incident foreshadows the romantic and friendship tensions to come.

Graduation night College campus party
2

Sameer ends things with Priya and heads to Goa

The day after the party, Sameer ends his relationship with Priya and searches for a fresh start with his friends. He joins Akash and Sid on an impromptu trip to Goa, hoping to escape and redefine their bond. The Goa trip sets the stage for new love interests and conflicts.

Day after graduation Goa
3

Goa encounters: Deepa and Christine

In Goa, Akash encounters his persistent ex Deepa, whom Sid advises to move on. Meanwhile, Sameer is drawn to Christine, a Swiss tourist who turns out to be a con artist and robs him. The vacation becomes a mix of romance and risk.

During Goa trip Goa
4

Sid meets Tara in Mumbai

Back in Mumbai, Sid grows close to Tara, a middle-aged alcoholic divorcee and art enthusiast. He admires her maturity and compassion and develops feelings for her. The evolving bond introduces Sid to love outside his age and expectations.

After Goa trip Mumbai
5

Sameer faces arranged marriage pressure; falls for Pooja

Sameer deals with pressure from his parents toward an arranged marriage, but he unexpectedly falls for Pooja, the first woman he meets. The new relationship challenges his friends' lives and the expectations around love. This marks a pivotal turn in Sameer's romantic journey.

Around this period Mumbai
6

Tara's birthday crisis; Sid confesses; the rift

On Tara's birthday, her ex-husband keeps their daughter away, triggering an emotional breakdown. Sid comforts her and later confesses his love, prompting Akash to mock him for pursuing an older woman. Sid slaps Akash, severing a piece of their friendship and revealing a growing cynicism between them.

Some months after meeting Tara Mumbai
7

Akash moves to Sydney and reconnects with Shalini

Akash departs for Sydney to run his family's business, where he reconnects with Shalini, who is visiting her uncle. The two bond and fall in love, even as Shalini remains in a complicated engagement. The romance challenges Akash's cynicism and sets up a dramatic confrontation with Rohit.

In Sydney Sydney
8

Rohit interrupts; Shalini's engagement revealed as obligation

Rohit arrives to take Shalini back to India for their wedding, leaving Akash devastated. Mahesh reveals that Shalini agreed to the marriage out of obligation to her adoptive parents, not love. Akash's resolve strengthens as he learns the truth behind the engagement.

Before wedding Sydney
9

Eve of the wedding: Akash proposes; Shalini chooses Akash

On the eve of Shalini's wedding, Akash proposes to her, sparking a tense confrontation with Rohit. Shalini admits she loves Akash and chooses him, and Rohit's parents give their blessing. The moment seals the couple's future against the odds.

Eve of wedding Sydney
10

Sid returns from painting workshop; Tara's hospitalization

Sid leaves for a painting workshop but returns when he learns Tara is hospitalized with liver cirrhosis. He rushes back to be with her as her health deteriorates and the future of his friendship becomes uncertain. This turn deepens the emotional stakes for Sid.

Shortly after the Sydney arc Mumbai hospital
11

Hospital reflections: Sameer, Pooja and Akash's reconciliation

At the hospital, Sameer reflects on his relationship with Pooja, who chose him over her ex, and he acknowledges Akash's reconciliation with Shalini. The trio's dynamics expand as love and gratitude earn space beside loss. The hospital scenes heighten the emotional resonance of their journeys.

During Sid's hospitalization Mumbai Hospital
12

Akash apologizes to Sid; unresolved tensions linger

Akash visits Sid at the hospital and apologizes for his earlier cynicism and the rift between them. The gesture marks a soft reconciliation, though the wounds from their breakup linger as they face Tara's health crisis. The moment underscores the fragility of friendship amid love's turmoil.

During hospitalization Hospital
13

Tara dies; Sid is devastated

Tara fades on her deathbed before she can finish expressing what Sid meant to her, leaving him distraught and guilt-ridden. Her departure closes a painful chapter and abruptly shifts Sid's emotional focus. The loss deepens the sense of responsibility he feels toward his friends.

During hospitalization Mumbai Hospital
14

Six months later: Goa reunion and hopeful close

Six months later, the three friends reunite in Goa. Sameer and Akash arrive with Pooja and Shalini, and Sid meets a young woman on the beach, joining them for a celebratory dinner. The scene caps the journey with renewed friendship and quiet optimism for the future.

Six months later Goa

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:40

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Dil Chahta Hai Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dil Chahta Hai

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