Back in the golden era of the 1990s, when Madhuri Dixit ruled the silver screen and Aamir Khan was emerging as the thinking man’s heartthrob, one blockbuster almost lost a key moment—because of a dance number. At the heart of the story is Dil (1990), a film that became the year’s biggest hit, but not without some behind-the-scenes drama. What made Aamir hesitate to shake a leg with Bollywood’s dancing queen? The reason might just surprise you.The film in question is Dil, released in 1990, featuring Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles. A runaway success, Dil emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year and played a pivotal role in catapulting both actors to greater stardom. Its box office triumph marked a turning point in their careers.Aamir Khan made his acting debut with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988, while Madhuri Dixit rose to fame the same year with the blockbuster Tezaab. Their first collaboration came with Dil in 1990, a film that not only became a massive hit but also took both their careers to new heights.Dil remains a beloved classic, not just for its engaging storyline but also for its memorable soundtrack. One interesting bit of trivia from the film’s making involves Aamir Khan initially refusing to perform the song Dum Duma Dum with Madhuri Dixit. Aamir later revealed that he was hesitant because Madhuri was such a phenomenal dancer, and he felt he would be outshone. He jokingly described it as a situation of “Aa bail mujhe maar.” It was only after much persuasion from director Indra Kumar that Aamir finally agreed to do the song.Dil, starring Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher, and Saeed Jaffrey, was a massive box office success. Released in 1990, the film earned around Rs 20 crores, making it the highest-grossing film of the year and a turning point in the careers of its lead actors.
