''Did you have to say Bollywood? I hate that term!"
—Neena Walia
''Success and failure are just choices you make."
—Vikram Jaisingh
Highly meta film about the Mumbai film industry (don't call it Bollywood!) from the perspective of everyone from struggling newbie actors to famous producers. A commercial failure, but its on its way to becoming a cult film favorite. One thing is certain: this movie sure had a lot of cameos.
Contains the following tropes:
- Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder: While probably very fond of Sona, Vikram still doesn't waste any time hitting on Nikki when he's apart from his girlfriend.
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: Vikram was probably always a little narcissistic.
- Adam Westing: Sanjay Kapoor is having a whale of a time parodying himself as brother of a successful film personality who is riding his coat-tails.
- Always Second Best: Sona always plays this characters in movies, much to her annoyance.
- Arc Words: See the second quote on the top of the page.
- A Lighter Shade of Grey: While not taking it to the extent of many other characters in this movie, Sona has done pretty sketchy things in order to make it in the industry.
- As Himself: Half of the "characters" in this film fulfill this trope.
- All Love Is Unrequited: Are there any happy couples in this film?
- Bittersweet Ending: Happiness doesn't always come from the expected sources.
- Convicted by Public Opinion: Right before his first movie releases, Vikram endures a slew of bad PR. It's all true, and the movie is a hit because people go to see the movie out of curiosity.
- Did Not Get the Girl: Apparently advice from Shah Rukh Khan can fail!
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Sona is happy and content at the end, but only after 1. sleeping with a director who refuses to actually secure her a role she wants 2. In turn being cheated on by her boyfriend 3. having all of these details broadcast throughout magazines and tabloids.
- God Save Us from the Queen!: Neena Wallia. Though, like many characters in this movie, she is depicted with some sympathy.
- Heel–Face Door-Slam: Sona does an extremely mild version of this to Vikram when he asks for forgiveness. With good reason.
- Jade-Colored Glasses: Sona, by the time Vikram arrives in Mumbai.
- Karma Houdini: It's up to the audience to decide whether Vikram is this.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: Ultimately, Sona goes this route.
- Little Miss Snarker: Sona.''I said 'why not?'"
- Melodrama: The plot of Dil Ki Aag in general.
- Meta Guy: Zaffar pointing out the flaws in Ranjit's script.
- Minor Insult Meltdown: Vikram has one of these in the first half. Though his roommate was kind of being a jerkass.
- Second Act Break Up: Literally, given the way most bollywood films are structured around an intermission.
- Slave to PR: Pretty much all characters in this movie. Careers are made and destroyed based on publicity and connections.
- Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: All over the damn place.
- Subverted Trope: Many. Particularly in regard to what the audience expects from lead characters.
- They Look Just Like Everyone Else!: Vikram is hot, which is a slight aversion, but that's not the point because many people trying to break into Bollywood are attractive in this film. He's able to rather cruelly manipulate pretty much everyone he meets in order to score the lead role in what proves to be a successful film. And no one, except probably Neena, expects a thing!
- Upper-Class Twit: Nikki Walia. Though she did have plans to be a vet.
- In movies, she plays The Ingenue.)
