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25 Years of ‘DDLJ’: Fun facts about the film

Raj and Simran’s history-making love story ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (‘DDLJ’) will celebrate its 25th year anniversary this year, after its release on 20th October 1995. One of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Indian cinema, the film continues to woo audiences with its timeless premise of love triumphing over all odds and has become a benchmark in defining love for generations. The iconic film catapulted Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to become the nation’s sweethearts and are still considered one of the top onscreen couples ever.

As the iconic film reaches its silver jubilee, BizAsiaLive.com revisits some interesting facts about the quintessential romance saga.

Film of debuts – ‘DDLJ’ was not only the first film of debut director Aditya Chopra, but also saw Parmeet Sethi, Mandira Bedi, Karan Johar, Arjun Sablok and Anaita Shroff make their make first appearances as actors on the big screen. Parmeet Sethi and Mandira Bedi went on to have a successful career both on TV and in films, whilst Arjun Sablok decided to go into direction and directed the film ‘Neal ‘n’ Nikki’ in 2005. Anaita Shroff is now an award winning fashion designer and Karan Johar is now a household name as one of the most successful Bollywood directors of contemporary times.

Naming of the film – The name of the film was the brainchild of Anupam Kher’s wife, Kirron Kher – a critically acclaimed actress herself. She was even credited for it in the title of the film.

Inspired scenes – Remember that lovable saree scene between Khan and Himani Shivpuri (who played Simran’s aunt in the movie)? Well that particular scene was actually inspired from the 1957 legal thriller, ‘Witness For The Prosecution’. A hat in the original was replaced by a saree in ‘DDLJ’.

No hit song? – Initially, there was no Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna song. The song was apparently kept for another Yash Raj movie but later they decided to use it in ‘DDLJ’. Can we even imagine the film without it?

Inspired from real life – In the scene where Anupam Kher talks to Khan about his forefathers and their academic whereabouts, he was taking names of his actual uncles who were not too academically successful.

Surprising Kajol – In the song Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane, Kajol actually didn’t know that she would be dropped by Khan at the end of the song. Hence, the expression that was captured was completely genuine.

Improvisation – Khan in an interview shared that many of his scenes in the film were improvised which enhanced the script. One of them was the scene with Amrish Puri where they were feeding the pigeons. Khan had heard some people call pigeons in Delhi by saying ‘aao aao’ and spontaneously added it in to the scene.

Khan not the first choice – The role of Raj Malhotra was primarily offered to Saif Ali Khan. However the chotte nawab turned it down, paving the way for Khan to make the role his own. The rest they say is history…

Even after 25 years, the film still remains a firm fans favourite and an evergreen love story. Here’s to watching it again and again for the next 25 years!