Seventeen years ago, ‘Delhi-6’ stormed theaters, blending drama, music, and social commentary in a way that still echoes today. Sonam Kapoor, revisiting her memorable turn as the vivacious Bittu, flooded her social media with nostalgic clips from the film.
Helmed by visionary director Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, the movie unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. Abhishek Bachchan stars as the protagonist grappling with a community’s fear of a mythical ‘black monkey’—a metaphor for internal evils fueling riots and discord.
The narrative fearlessly addresses pressing issues: religious strife, the chasm between old and new generations, dowry’s lingering curse, and rapid city growth. Bittu’s character, played with infectious energy by Sonam, steals scenes as a Chandni Chowk girl harboring ambitions beyond her traditional surroundings. Aspiring for Indian Idol fame, she embodies rebellion against societal norms.
On the anniversary, Sonam’s Instagram Story montage evoked a wave of memories, captioned ‘Delhi-6 turns 17.’ A.R. Rahman’s soul-stirring score, penned by Prasoon Joshi, elevated the film—tracks like ‘Masakali’ and ‘Arziyan’ remain anthems that trend sporadically.
Sonam, absent from recent releases post-‘Blind’, used this moment to reconnect with fans. ‘Delhi-6’ endures not just for its storytelling but for challenging viewers to look inward. In an era of division, its call to eradicate personal darkness feels more relevant than ever.