Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was well received by most critics. In particular, Aishwarya Rai was lavishly praised in her role, which many critics considered to be sensitively played by the actress. The film was a hit at the Indian box office, becoming the third highest grossing of the Bollywood films of 1999. It also did well in the foreign box office, which was mostly credited to Aishwarya Rais box office draw among NRIs. As such, the film is considered to be a breakthrough role for her, not only winning her critical acclaim, but also cementing her box office stature. Salman Khans performance is considered as one of the best in his career.

Plot summary

The story of the movie is adopted from Maitreyi Devis bengali novel Na Hanyate. Nandini [Aishwarya Rai] is the daughter of Pandit Darbar [Vikram Gokhale], renowned proponent of Indian classical music, living in the Rann of Kutch. Nandini has been brought up with more freedom and education than her siblings, as she is the most beloved of Pandit Darbar. Into this carefree life enters Sameer [Salman Khan], a boy of Indo-Italian parentage who wants to learn Indian classical music from Pandit Darbar. Sameer stays with the Darbar family, and Nandini is asked to vacate her room to give the guest the nicest room in the manor. Nandini takes a dislike to Sameer, and the two keep playing pranks on each other, but soon realise they are in love. Their love blossoms in the Darbar household around weddings, festivals and family get togethers. One day the pair are caught rehearsing their wedding vows and dreaming of their future together by Pandit Darbar, who becomes furious with them. He has already planned Nandinis wedding. Sameer is kicked out of the house and asked never to contact Nandini again. Sameer does not leave India immediately. He stays in town and writes letters to Nandini asking her to join him, but his letters do not reach her in time. Nandinis parents have arranged to get her married to Vanraj [Ajay Devgan] - who had fallen in love with Nandini during her cousins wedding. On the wedding night, Vanraj realises that Nandini is not herself, and tries to ask her why she is not responding to his love. He asks her for the truth, promising he will help her no matter what. Nandini stays quiet, but is later caught reading Sameers letters. Vanraj is very angry at first as all he had asked was the truth from her. When he realises that his wife is in love with another man, he shows the ultimate love by taking Nandini to Italy and help her search for Sameer, much to the dislike of his own parents. Nandini and Vanraj arrive in Italy and start searching for Sameer, but always come up against a dead end. During their search, they face many problems and dilemmas and slowly Nandini gets to see what Vanraj really is like. She sees Vanraj selflessly devoting himself to caring for her during her stay in hospital after an incident. Eventually they get news about Sameer [through his mother - played by Helen], and Vanraj arranges for Nandini to meet Sameer on the night of his debut concert. His job done, Vanraj says goodbye to Nandini and walks away. Nandini and Sameer meet, but Nandinis feelings for him have changed. She reflects on the unwavering love and devotion that Vanraj showed her throughout their whole relationship, and realises that she loves him. She leaves Sameer to go after Vanraj.

Zee cine awards

= Winner * Zee Cine Award Best Film - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Zee Cine Award Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female - Aishwarya Rai * Lux Face of the Year - Aishwarya Rai * Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male - Udit Narayan * Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Female - Kavita Krishnamurthy

2000 national awards

= Winner * Best Music Direction - Ismail Darbar * Best choreography -- Samir tanna & Arsh Tanna for dholi taro dhol baje

2000 filmfare awards

= Winner * Best Movie - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam * Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Best Actress - Aishwarya Rai * Best Male Playback - Udit Narayan, "Chand Chupa Badal Mein" * Best Art Director - Nitin Chandrakant Desai * Best Cinematographer - Anil Mehta * Best Choreography - Saroj Khan, "Nimbooda" * Best Background Score - Anjan Biswas Nominationed * Best Actor - Salman Khan * Best Actor - Ajay Devgan

2000 [[star screen awards]]

= Winner * Star Screen Award Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Star Screen Award Best Actress - Aishwarya Rai * Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - Kavita Krishnamoorthy * Star Screen Award for Best Screenplay - Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Kenneth Philips

2000 iifa awards

= Winner * Best Movie - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam * Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Best Actress - Aishwarya Rai * Best Male Playback - Udit Narayan, "Chand Chupa Badal Mein"

Zee gold awards

= Winner * Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Best Actress Critics Award - Aishwarya Rai * Best Male Singer - Kumar Sanu * Best Costume Designer - Neeta Lulla * Best Cinematographer - Anil Mehta * Best Screenplay - Sanjay Leela Bhansali