Dil To Pagal Hai, released in 1997, is one of the cult classics produced by Bollywood. Starring SRK, Madhuri Dixit, and Karisma Kapoor, this musical is considered one of the best dance and romance Bollywood movies. While most people see the Rahul-Pooja jodi as the stars of the movie, the real hero of Dil To Pagal Hai is Nisha.

Looking at Dil To Pagal Hai from a modern lens will show you that the lead characters in the movie are deeply flawed and problematic. Pooja was a one-dimensional character, as impossible in real-life as Rahul’s dream girl Maya. She is unambitious and too much of a goody-two-shoes to be able to survive in the real world. Rahul was a sexist a-hole who was unprofessional and reckless. Nisha, on the other hand, was the only relatable and believable character, even with all her flaws. And here are some reasons why Nisha is the real hero of Dil To Pagal Hai.

1. Nisha is responsible and professional

Nisha is a dancer and she takes her job very seriously. She is a professional through and through, which is why she doesn’t make work commitments on a whim. Unlike Rahul, who announces a completely new show in three months, without consulting with his team. And the best part, all he has is a name for the show and his character, Maya, but no story whatsoever. Peeps, be like Nisha, not Rahul.

2. Nisha is practical

Unlike Rahul who drops a bomb with zero thought and plans and Pooja who is dancing her way through her dream world, Nisha is rooted in reality. When Rahul shares his vision of Maya with his troupe, Nisha is the first one to point out the impracticality of his idea. She also points out how unreal and immature the character of Maya is.

3. She is self-assured

Nisha knows who she is and accepts herself as she is. She doesn’t let society dictate how she should eat, sit, dress, or behave. She is unbothered about what society, including her best friend Rahul, thinks a girl should be like. Nisha is confident in herself and her identity and that, my ladies, is what you should aspire to be. She’s the real boss babe!

4. Nisha is honest about her feelings

Nisha is not someone who runs away from her feelings, no matter if they are good or bad. The moment she realises she is in love with Rahul, Nisha confesses her feelings. Though she was inebriated during her confession, she doesn’t use that as an excuse for her actions. Similarly, when she feels jealous of Pooja for joining her troupe, or Rahul for falling in love with her, Nisha accepts her feelings. She comes out and says she was jealous, heartbroken, and hurt. Nisha is not one to run away from her feelings, but one to own them.

5. She doesn’t change herself for a man

It is not usual, especially in a Bollywood movie of the 90s, to find a female character who is not a typical bharatiya naari or the absolute vamp. Nisha is neither and doesn’t fall into a box. Rahul is someone who wants the cliched Indian woman–shy, familial, and the very definition of traditional. Nisha knows this, but she never changes herself to become the woman Rahul desires. She doesn’t suddenly go from wearing comfortable athleisure and western clothes to churidaars with dupattas, just to please a man. She never loses herself. Nisha is true goals, ladies. Learn from her.

6. Nisha doesn’t place her self-worth on a man

She doesn’t need a man to validate her. When she realises Rahul doesn’t love her, Nisha doesn’t sit and lament over what is so wrong with her that a man refuses to fall in love with her. Instead, she decides to keep her distance and even tells Rahul honestly why she is leaving. Nisha doesn’t need validation from the men around her to know who she is or feel secure in her femininity.

7. She accepts that Rahul doesn’t love her and moves on

Unlike most Bollywood movies where people can’t take no for an answer, Nisha accepts that Rahul doesn’t love her and just moves on. She is not obsessed with Rahul to the point where she hurts others or tries to prove why she is the best person for Rahul. In fact, Nisha is selfless in her love. Even when she is heartbroken, she is still rooting for Rahul and Pooja to get together, because they love each other.

Nisha is a flawed character, no doubt. But she is the most human of all the characters of Dil To Pagal Hai, and frankly, the best one too.

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