It's 20 years to the release of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and it seems nothing's changed at all. Not Shah Rukh Khan, not Kajol not the flavour of the film!
20 years back, on this very date, a film had released which changed people's perception of love. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. It was a trendsetter in many ways than one. From the way it set a benchmark in terms of romanticism on celluloid to the classic tale of traditions, virtues and love for the family, DDLJ has been one of the most iconic films ever made in Bollywood.
And it's no surprise that the film has thus managed to become the longest running Hindi film ever. With packed shows even till date, Mumbai's Maratha Mandir still showcases the film everyday. A film that binds people, courtesy the values Adi inculcated despite making a film as grand as this, DDLJ still runs to packed houses in the Mumbai theatre. What can possibly be the reason behind the craze? Like Shah Rukh Khan says it in the documentary, the biggest victory for DDLJ was in its intentions.
It's been 20 years since DDLJ kind of redefined the language of love, both on-screen and off screen and yet, everything feels the same. Nothing's changed. Not SRK, not Kajol, not Karan, not Adi, not the film, neither the intentions. In a documentary released to commemorate the 20th year of the film's releases, SRK explains why DDLJ connected with the youth and still continues to rule hearts. Again and again!
"People had told me our films don't run on regular times. Times of Naseeb and all, there was a big market abroad for Hindi films and then it died. Then it got revived with DDLJ because it was set in London, the clothing was new. It was Indian culture spoken in a way that the second and third generation could understand," SRK says. Prod him about his and Kajol's electric chemistry that still gets most Indians weak in their knees and melts a million hearts and he flashes a dimpled smile. "There's a lot of respect, love, kindness and acceptance of the fact that we are not special. If I may say something personal, we have the best four eyes in the business. If you looked all over the country, you won't find better two pairs of eyes than Kajol and mine."
Their Raj and Simran met, had frivolous fights, fell in love and then battled against all odds to be together. 20 years later, the film evokes the same emotions. But has Raj and Simran changed in these two decades? No. Why? SRK explains, "A lot of young actresses and girls I meet, they keep complaining that 'you spoilt love for us. We keep looking for Raj but there's no Raj. Are you like Raj?' I tell them, No I'm not like Raj. My answer to everyone looking for their Raj and Simran. Every Raj and Simran in this world are different from our Raj and Simran. You just have to find the boy or girl who fits you. I guess that's the universal appeal of that film that everybody is Raj and Simran yet nobody is Raj and Simran. You just have to find your own Raj-ness and Simran-ness!"
Director Karan Johar who's donned a few hats for the film turned nostalgic and spoke about his walk down the memory lane. "I cannot get over the innocence. I think time and age can make you so cryptic and so cynical in the movie industry and take away that one big quality that you can never bring back. When I see Aditya's face and I see Shah Rukh, Kajol and myself, we look so innocent, so pure, untouched. That I don't think can be emulated again."
There are so many people who tried aping it but failed miserably. DDLJ is one and will always remain the one. SRK assures, "If you are going to make a Dilwale, you have to wait at least 20 years which is a long shot. You can't make a Dilwale again. Maybe we as in Adi, Karan, Kajol and me will make another one. Hopefully, we also won't know it."
There's one thing that the audience's love for DDLJ has stamped upon. "When you have a film like that which is such a pure love story that can lie in the hearts of every Indian and Asian for over a 1000 weeks, that means the power exists and DDLJ resonates the power," Johar signs off.
To 200 more years at the theatre, here's to the entire team of DDLJ! From an ardent fan whose life was never the same again. We came and fell in love. Over and over again.
Watch the full documentary here:
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