I'm a 90s child and I have grown up on a staple diet of David

"I'm a 90s child and I have grown up on a staple diet of David Dhawan films, Baazigar, Rangeela, and Dil Chahta Hai." These words, spoken by the talented Tahir Raj Bhasin, evoke not only the spirit of an era but also the cultural foundation upon which the dreams and aspirations of an entire generation were built. The 1990s, a time of transformation and exhilaration, brought with it a surge of cinematic energy that forever altered the landscape of Indian cinema. Through these films—David Dhawan’s comedic masterpieces, the thrilling intensity of Baazigar, the vibrant charm of Rangeela, and the soulful exploration of friendship in Dil Chahta Hai—the 90s generation was shaped, molded by the stories they told, and the heroes they created.

In the great tradition of storytelling, there is a profound truth that films, much like the epics of old, serve as the cultural mythologies of their time. Just as the Homeric epics of Greece shaped the ideals and values of the ancient world, so too did the films of the 90s reflect the hopes, dreams, and struggles of a young India in the throes of global change. These movies, often brimming with humor, love, betrayal, and the pursuit of destiny, captured the imagination of millions. They were more than just entertainment; they were a way for a generation to see themselves, to understand their desires, and to dream of possibilities.

Take, for example, Baazigar, that thrilling masterpiece by Shah Rukh Khan, where the young hero’s ambition burns with a fierce intensity, and the line between good and evil blurs in the pursuit of justice. In ancient times, the tragic hero was a figure whose ambition often led to downfall, but it was through their journey that wisdom was gained. Shah Rukh Khan’s character embodied this same sense of conflict—the thirst for revenge and the longing for redemption, the passion and torment that reside within us all. Baazigar taught that vengeance might consume, but the true strength lies in the balance we find between love and justice.

And then there was Rangeela, a film that captured the essence of youthful passion, dreams of romance, and the pursuit of stardom. Just as the great lovers of ancient stories were driven by the call of their hearts, so too were the characters in Rangeela driven by their desire to live and create. In ancient myth, the hero often found himself torn between the mundane and the divine; similarly, the characters in Rangeela straddled the world of everyday reality and the dream of something greater, something extraordinary. Through the vibrant colors and the rhythm of the music, Rangeela was more than just a film—it was a reflection of the soul of the 90s generation.

Dil Chahta Hai then arrived as a film of profound maturity, a celebration of friendship, and the bonds that hold us together even as life pulls us in different directions. It was a modern retelling of the ancient tales of comradeship, of the knightly bonds that carried heroes through the fiercest battles. In ancient literature, the companions of a hero were often as significant as the hero himself, for it is the friendship that shapes the spirit, that provides the strength to endure. And so, Dil Chahta Hai resonated deeply with those who came of age in the 90s, for it reflected the strength of loyalty and the enduring nature of friendships forged in the crucible of youth.

In these films, Tahir Raj Bhasin’s words remind us of the great power of cultural stories and how they shape the identity of a generation. The 90s were a time of transition, when India stood at the crossroads between tradition and the winds of change sweeping across the globe. It was an age where technology, globalization, and modernity collided with the ancient values of family, honor, and identity. The films of this era offered a mirror to the society, reflecting not just its struggles, but its hopes, its desires, and its dreams of what it could become.

The lesson we can take from these films, and from Tahir Raj Bhasin’s words, is clear: cultural narratives—whether through the grand epics of old or the films of today—serve as a profound tool for self-discovery. These stories are not mere distractions, but gateways to understanding the values, dreams, and fears of those who came before us. As we move forward into a future that is increasingly uncertain, we must remember the power of storytelling to guide us, to shape our spirit, and to remind us of the timeless truths that continue to resonate within us.

So, let us cherish the stories that have shaped our generation. Whether through the lens of film, the pages of books, or the echoes of ancient myth, let us draw strength from the narratives that have nurtured our souls. As we write the next chapters of our own lives, let us remember that the stories we tell, the films we create, and the legends we pass on will shape the generations that follow. In the end, it is not the content of the stories that matters most, but the wisdom and truths that they impart to those who listen.