A wave of nostalgia swept across social media recently when Pooja Bhatt shared the poster of her 1993 film Pehla Nasha. The post not only revived memories of the cult thriller but also transported many back to a phase when several now-established names were still finding their place in the industry.

For Deepak Tijori, the film remains especially close to his heart. While speaking to us, the actor admitted that Pooja’s gesture caught him by surprise and stirred a flood of emotions.

“I was surprised to see the post. But I can expect that out of Pooja; she has always been that kind of person. She has always been there for me, and seeing her put up that poster just brought back so many memories from that phase of my life,” he says warmly.

Back in the early ’90s, Deepak was still navigating his way through the industry. He recalls, “In 1993, I was still getting there as an actor. I had been doing supporting roles, and this was a big moment for me. What made it even more special was that Pooja, who was already a star at that time, immediately said yes to the film. Even with Raveena Tandon, there was no hesitation; she came on board with complete conviction. That kind of support meant a lot to me back then.”

The film also marked the directorial debut of Ashutosh Gowariker, making the experience even more memorable for the team. Deepak remembers the atmosphere on set as one filled with youthful energy and genuine camaraderie.

“This was Ashutosh’s first film, my first as a lead — it was a very sentimental journey for all of us. Honestly, we were having a blast more than we were shooting a film. There was so much energy, so much enthusiasm. It remains one of those rare experiences in my life that I will always cherish,” he shares.

One of the film’s most talked-about sequences featured an impressive line-up of stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Rahul Roy and Sudesh Berry. “Even that sequence was a treat. To have all these actors come together — it added a certain charm to the film. It felt like everyone was rooting for us,” he says.

Despite the passion and promise behind the project, Pehla Nasha struggled at the box office. According to Deepak, external circumstances heavily impacted the film’s release.

“At the time of release, the film ran into complications with distribution. Around the same time, the 1993 blasts had happened, so naturally people were not going to theatres the way they normally would. The film didn’t get the kind of release it deserved, and it wasn’t a box office success. But for us, it was never just about numbers — it was a very emotional project,” he explains.