Did You Know Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai is inspired by the Kannada blockbuster Ratha Sapthami (1986)?

Kaho Na Pyaar Hai is one of those rare films that seem never to get old no matter the passage of time. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, this 2000 romantic drama film was the launching pad for son Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel. The film was a phenomenal success and turned both Hrithik and Ameesha into overnight sensations. Hrithik’s acting and dancing skills were highly praised and shot him into fame. He became the only actor to bag both the Filmfare award for Best Debut as well as the Filmfare award for Best Actor for the film. The film had won 92 awards in totality from various award ceremonies in different categories. As a result of such accolades, the film became a part of the Limca Book of Records.

The production of the Kaho Na Pyaar Hai was nearly a one-man show; Rakesh Roshan was not only the director but was also the producer and writer of the film. The music for the film was composed by a brother, Rajesh Roshan. Post the grand success of the film the winning father-son duo further collaborated on film projects such as Krrish, Kites, Koi…Mil Gaya and the most recent Kaabil.

However, it would surprise most Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai fans to know that the main plot of the film has been inspired by Kannada film known as Ratha Sapthami (1986). This film was directed by M.S. Rajashekar who is a renowned director from Bangalore. A few notable films from his filmography include Nanjundi Kalyana, Mana Mechchida Hudugi and Ratha Sapthami. The same theme was repeated for a 1996 Tamil film called Love Birds.

Hrithik Roshan plays a double role in Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai. The second half of the film starting from where Rohit (Hrithik Roshan) is chased by two police inspectors and is killed been adopted by Ratha Sapthami. The rest of the story takes place in Canada where the character of Ameesha Patel (Sonia) has been sent in order to move on from the loss of Rohit. There she has an uncanny experience; she goes to a club with her cousin one evening and finds Rohit dancing. She is shocked and runs away thinking that she is probably hallucinating. Later, she finds that he is not Rohit, but Raj, who looks, quite strangely, exactly like Rohit. Sonia returns to India and Raj who has fallen in love with her also follows her to India. Once they land, Raj is mistaken as Rohit and is chased by the two police inspector who pushed Rohit’s bike off the bridge into the water.

This entire section of the film owes its credit to Ratha Sapthami. Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai is still remembered for Hrithik’s portrayal of both Rohit and Raj and his immaculate dancing skills. The soulful music of Rajesh Roshan was a bonus.