"Dil Chahta Hai" redefined in many ways friendship in mainstream Hindi cinema, a time capsule of urban, affluent India in the turn of the century that has aged remarkably well. At its heart is the friendship between the three men who approach life and love in markedly different ways. "Dil Chahta Hai" was also markedly shot differently from much of mainstream Hindi cinema of the period. Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran recalled that he had signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas" but instead chose to work on "Dil Chahta Hai". "It was not our first project, but 'Dil Chahta Hai' gave us immense credibility, a strong identity, and a lot of respect in the music industry.