‘DDLJ’ 1000 weeks special: 10 memorable dialogues

When one thinks back to the time when ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995) first released, it’s almost impossible to think that Bollywood existed without the film. It saw the debut of director Aditya Chopra and at the age of just 23, his vision and passion for cinema have B-town one of it’s most memorable and most celebrated films. As the film is just a few days short of marking its 1000th week in theatre in India, BizAsia revisits the ten of the film’s most remembered dialogues.

Aisa pehli baar hua hai satra atra saalon mein, andekha anjaana koi aana laga khayalon mein��_

When it comes to the well written dialogues of ��Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge�۪, one cannot forget Kajol�۪s introduction sequence as Simran Singh. In classic Yash Raj Films style, she is seen wearing white and reciting a beautiful monologue. The poetic words in Simran�۪s diary entry made her an even more relatable character for young girls who grew up dreaming of their prince charming. Who wouldn�۪t want to fall in love after this dialogue? The monologue works successfully not just as an introduction for this girl-next-door character but also perfectly sets the scene for the love story in the screenplay ahead. Without having met Raj Malhotra yet, Simran�۪s monologue seems to describe her feelings for him perfectly, creating the impression that they are not just lovers but soulmates. This dialogue forms the perfect foundation for a perfect love story. Girls searching for their own Raj Malhotra may find themselves echoing Simran�۪s famous monologue to their own mothers, or perhaps even reciting it in front of their bedroom mirrors.

Fail hona aur padai na karna hamaare khandaan ki parampara hai.

So, it�۪s the day your results come out and you may not have done quite so well. Now who wouldn�۪t want to hear these words from their father? Dharamvir Malhotra was not just a father to Raj but also his friend. While the audience may have been expecting Malhotra to reprimand his son for failing to attain his university degree, the man does just the opposite. In fact, this father-son duo became so loved that their line, ��O Pocho, O Koka, O Bobby, O Lola�۪, is often used as an expression of happiness.

Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai, Senorita.

This is one dialogue that made all girls all over the world fall in love with Shah Rukh Khan�۪s character of playful and completely loveable Raj. The English equivalent to this dialogue is basically saying ��don�۪t sweat the small stuff�۪ but Raj�۪s way of making it sound incredibly sweet made it all the more endearing. It is one that sticks with me because it just reminds me that you are one person is a big country and essentially, no matter what you do, your problem or issue is just one among many other larger problems in the world. A great piece of dialogue and one that gave us hope that life is not just one issue after the other way.

Tum apni zindagi ek aise ladke ke saath guzardogi jisko tum jaanti nahin ho, mili nahin ho, jo tumhari liye bilkul ajnabi hai.

A single question which sums up every girl�۪s thoughts and feelings about arranged marriages and the predicament they are faced with. It is such a beautifully phrased question and fit perfectly with the conflicted feelings that Raj felt falling for Simran who reveals that she is already engaged. The look on Raj�۪s face as he delivered the dialogue also bought it to life and made it mean so much more.

Raj, agar woh tumse pyaar karti hai to woh ek baar palat ke dekhegi… Palat… Palat…

Along with the dashing smiles, the glittering eyes and the beautiful words, another element that Bollywood gives to our heroes is the ability to have a sixth sense and predict the future. ‘DDLJ’ is full of such examples, many of which are declared by none other than SRK himself (being the hero and saving the day, who else would it be?). One such occasion is when the audience find out that Simran has unknowingly fallen in love with Raj. Their Europe trip has come to and end and it�۪s time for them to board the last train back to London. As the audience witnesses the scene where Raj tries to pull of his declaration of love for Simran as a joke, the train hoot�۪s to announce the last call for passenger to board. As she walks away, SRK delivers the one line that now resides in all our minds effortlessly. The one line that makes us actually believe in our hopeful hearts that if our one true love is to make that turn, the deal of love is sealed.

As you hope she turns around, only to be left with her flowing bushy mane bouncing up and down staring back at you, Raj attempts to use his telepathic skills again. ��Palat�۪ ��� Still no sign of Kajol�۪s face and as you prey that Raj gets third time lucky; ��Palat�۪, the music volume grows and the violins play in full swing, as Simran turns her head, looks back at Raj, and smiles. And though at that time Simran doesn�۪t even know it yet; because Raj said it – it�۪s true��_she loves him. Thus, bringing hope to all that looking back one more time at the man/woman standing behind you means, you love them. (Not really).

Sapne dekho, zaroor dekho. Bas, unke poore hone ki shart mat rakho.

The post-interval scene between Simran and her mother, Lajjo, creates an extremely high point of drama. While Simran�۪s father often seemed to curb her dreams, Lajjo was always more of a friend for both her daughters, Simran and Chutki. For Lajjo to then tell Simran that she needs to stop expecting her dreams to become reality came as an unsettling surprise. Ever felt that you�۪re running behind a dream that isn�۪t quite close to becoming reality? This may be a line you remember at such a time. A dose of reality amidst all the dreaming!

Agar tum galat raaste par chaloge … toh ho sakta hai shuruvat mein tumhe bahut kamyabi mile, bahut khushiya mile … magar anth mein tumhari haar hogi … aur agar sahi raaste par chaloge … toh bhale hi shuruvat mein tumhe kadam kadam par thokarein mile, musibaton ka samna karna pade, pareshani ho … magar anth mein hamesha jeet hogi.

This is perhaps one of those that would top the list if it was about the dialogue that makes Raj the guy that every girl would want to take home to her parents. Here you have the immensely talented Farida Jalal, as Simran’s mother, telling her daughter’s love that noone will understand them in the family and that he should elope with her daughter to ensure she is always happy. However, instead of packing his bags and taking the opportunity and his future mother-in-law’s blessing, Raj sits holding her hand and explains that he wants to win Simran’s hand in marriage, not by running away. The gush-factor is definitely 100% here!

Pyaar karte ho mujse? Bharosa hai mujh par?

It is the evening before it all was set to kick off and Raj and Simran meet on the terrace for one last time. Raj tells Simran that whatever he does the next day would be something he does for them both. Simran then asks him the dialogue. This dialogue is a repetition of the same questions he asked her but this time he doesn’t answer. He just looks at her and cracks the famous lop-sided SRK smile that he’s always known for.

Toh kya hua agar maine jhoot sirf tumhe paane ke liye kaha tha? Toh kya hua agar tumhare chehre ke sivah mujhe koi aur chehra dikhai nahi deta? Toh kya hua agar tumhare naam ke sivah mujhe koi aur naam yaad nahi rehta? Toh kya hua agar yeh awara tumhe deewano ki tarah pyar karta hai? Toh kya hua? Pyaar sab kuch toh nahi hota na.

The infamous climax scene is undoubtedly one of the most heart-wrenching. Raj is caught exiting the house after it has become known that he is the love Simran has been speaking about to only her mother and sister so far. In comes the very overbearing and strict character of Amrish Puri as Simran’s father and cue Raj’s dialogue. He almost tries to prove his love for Simran but says it such a way that it makes Simran’s father question his decision to get her married to a man she hardly knows. The beauty of the delivery in this dialogue can only be given to Khan’s full-of-expression eyes which steal the scene in a way perhaps no other actor can.

Jaa Simran, jee le apni zindagi…

If one wants to experience the joys of suspense, this is definitely a film one should watch. With chair gripping, nail biting, forehead screwing scenes from start to finish, you never really know what�۪s going to happen next. This goes on right up until the very end. With the beaten, bruised and bloody Raj (like a true hero) standing on the train looking back as he departs further and further away from his love and her family, Simran attempts her run towards him only to be stopped by the hand of her father gripping her wrist. ���Mujhe jaane di jiya bauji, please mujhe jaane dijiya. ��_.Raj meri zindgi hai, mein uske begher nai jee sakti,��_please mujhe mere Raj ke pass jane di jiye��_�۝ She pleads and cries, and despite knowing that this has to be a happy ending story, the fury that resides in bauji�۪s glare makes you think again. Until he eventually lets go, and speaks the words that melt your heart even more than Khan may have done throughout the whole film; ���Jaa Simran jaa. Is ladke ke zyada pyaar, tuje aur koi nahi kar sakta. Jaa beta ja, apni Raj ke paas ja��_��_ja, jeele apni zindagi, ja beta��_.JA!�۝And with that, comes the running, the music, the singing and a very happy ending. Thanks bauji.

With this 10th dialogue, our list comes to an end but this is no way an exhaustive list. There are many moments, scenes and dialogues that capture one’s heart in this film and may it be as loved and as celebrated another 1000 weeks on.

BizAsia extends congratulations to the whole team of ‘DDLJ’ for reaching a milestone that was producer late Yash Chopra’s dream – 1000 weeks at the box office!

By Sanoobar Patel, Shyama Sudra, Manpreet Bhandal and Amrita Tanna