Sam is that friend who stays right in the middle and holds the group together.
Toward the end of TVF’s Aspirants season 1, SK loses his cool with Abhilash and Guri, who are caught up in a fight, and snaps, “Ye kya 'Dil Chahta Hai' chal raha hai? Aur main kya Saif Ali Khan hoon?” (Is this a 'Dil Chahta Hai' happening here? And am I Saif Ali Khan or what?). That one line perfectly sums up the role of the middle friend in any trio. Usually, two friends steal the spotlight, while the one in the middle holds the group together, and when things fall apart, it’s often the middle friend who takes the hardest hit. This is exactly why Saif Ali Khan’s character Sam in 'Dil Chahta Hai' can feel a bit overlooked. At first glance, Sam appears to be just the comic relief in the tug-of-war between Akash and Sid. The story mostly revolves around their fights and eventual reunion. But what about Sam? Without him, that reunion might never have come to be. We may not remember Sam as clearly as Akash or Sid, but he is truly the steady heart of their friendship.
So today, on Saif Ali Khan’s 55th birthday, let’s revisit Sam and understand what it means to be the middle friend, who goes unnoticed but is absolutely essential.
In the trio, Akash and Sid often respond to Sam with a blend of affectionate teasing and dismissiveness, especially when his romantic life or personal insecurities surface. The memorable scene where Sam nervously recounts a “scam” from Goa (only to be met with laughter) subtly reveals how Sam’s voice is often drowned out, and how his emotions are minimized beneath jokes. His nervous wit and idiosyncrasies anchor the group’s lighter moments but mask a yearning for genuine understanding. Akash’s jabs and Sid’s occasional inattentiveness illuminate a truth many middle friends know well: their emotional complexity is often underestimated or ignored.
This dynamic extends far beyond the film’s narrative. In countless real friendships, the middle friend assumes the unofficial role of jester or peacemaker, not out of malice from others but because such presences tend to fade behind the flashier personalities.
When the inevitable rift erupts between Akash and Sid, Sam’s predicament becomes painfully visible. Though not the cause, he bears the fallout. Positioned between the two, he becomes isolated, and just an observer to the fracture he once helped hold at bay.
The middle friend’s vulnerability in such moments often goes unexamined. Connected to both sides but embraced fully by neither, they occupy an emotional no-man’s-land. Sam’s ache is familiar to many who have watched friendships splinter.
(Credit: Netflix India)
Despite his marginalization, Sam emerges as the glue that mends the fractured bond. When Akash and Sid finally reunite, it is Sam’s steady presence that ushers in healing. The film’s emotional climax owes much to this understated force.
And the reunion carries an unforced power. It is not just about two friends coming together, but also about a trio restored. Sam’s role here speaks to a universal truth that friendships often survive through those who make space for everyone, even when unheralded.
This image from 'Dil Chahta Hai' perfectly captures Sam’s complex place in the trio through its composition. In the foreground, two friends (Akash and Sid) are locked in a close and emotional embrace, which instantly draws your eye and shows the depth of their bond at that moment. Meanwhile, Sam stands just behind them, slightly blurred and a bit apart, with his physical distance mirroring his emotional position. He is there, clearly part of the group, but not the focus of this intimate moment, highlighting how he often feels a step removed, trying to stay connected but sometimes overshadowed by the stronger dynamics between the other two. The layering of the frame, with Sam positioned between but behind them, subtly reinforces his role as a bridge or mediator who tries to keep the peace without diving headfirst into the emotional intensity. Also, his open, relaxed posture and lighter clothing add to this impression of an easygoing presence, someone who is supportive but not prone to confrontation or taking sides. This visual setup tells a story beyond the frame as well. Sam is the friend who holds the group together, but also wrestles with feeling slightly on the sidelines, always involved but sometimes overlooked. It’s a beautiful way to express the bittersweet struggle of being the middle friend, caught between closeness and distance, part of the inner circle yet navigating his own emotional space.
Saif Ali Khan has often acknowledged that 'Dil Chahta Hai' marked a turning point in his career, presenting friendship stripped of melodrama, seen instead through authentic and understated moments. Director Farhan Akhtar’s vision foregrounded these nuances, allowing Sam’s emotional labor to resonate deeply with audiences.
