# Akshaye Khanna, Dimple Kapadia’s forbidden romance was Dil Chahta Hai’s real plot

2026-08-10T08:58:31+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

NDTV reports that the real plot of the 2001 film Dil Chahta Hai was the forbidden romance between Siddharth (Akshaye Khanna) and Tara (Dimple Kapadia), a divorced middle-aged woman. The story defied 'age-appropriate' societal norms of the time. The film is widely remembered for its portrayal of male friendship, but this romantic subplot is now being highlighted as its central theme.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dil-chahta-hai-turns-25-why-akshaye-khanna-and-dimple-kapadias-forbidden-romance-was-the-real-plot-of-dil-chahta-hai-11882901#publisher=newsstand>

Tags: age-gap relationship, Akshaye Khanna, Bollywood, Dil Chahta Hai, Dimple Kapadia, forbidden romance
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/akshaye-khanna-dimple-kapadias-forbidden-romance-was-dil-chahta-hais-real-plot/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/akshaye-khanna-dimple-kapadias-forbidden-romance-was-dil-chahta-hais-real-plot/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.