Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer mega-blockbuster ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ famously called as ‘DDLJ’ has completed 25-years of its majestic cinematic journey today that is on October 20. The film had seen debutante Aditya Chopra at the helm, creating magic that was yet to change the definition of romanticism and was going to inspire generations to love like its historic characters; Simran and Raj.
The historic movie surely had a historic star cast. Making their characters alive and immortal on-screen, actors like; Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Parmeet Sethi, Farida Jalal, and others also contributed to make DDLJ a wonderful love story of two young hearts; Simran and Raj. Shah Rukh Khan, who was acclaimed for his negative roles in films like ‘Darr’, ‘Baazigar’, ‘Anjaam’, was now pulling off a romantic young boy role as Raj. Talking exclusively about his transition from the most likable bad boy to the King of Romance, Shah Rukh tells how he felt he could never pull off a role of a romantic hero on screen.
He said, “Raj was unlike anything I had done. Before DDLJ, there was Darr, Baazigar, Anjaam—films in which I had portrayed negative characters. Also, I always felt that I wasn’t cut out to play any romantic type of character. So, when I was presented with the opportunity by Adi and Yashji of essaying the role, I was excited to work with him but had no idea how to go about it and also if I would be able to do it well.”
“Actually, I always felt Adi’s love for me made him cast me. I found the character endearing and sweet in the right way – the over the topness is my contribution. It was one of those roles that I realized can do with me using a version of my real self so you might see some quirks, habits and mannerisms that were true to my off-screen persona, especially the sense of humour part.”
25 years!!! Filled with gratitude towards you for loving Raj & Simran, with all your heart. This always feels special. #DDLJ25 @yrf pic.twitter.com/HHZyPR29f9
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 20, 2020
The King of Romance also revealed that he is very shy around women and wasn’t confident that he could be able to pull off the romantic scenes in DDLJ! “I was told by many people that I looked unconventional – very different from what the perception of a leading man was. I did feel, maybe, not being handsome enough — or as they called it then ‘chocolaty’ would make me unsuitable for romantic roles. Also, I am very shy and awkward with ladies, and I didn’t know how I would say all the loving, romantic bits.”
SRK further added, “I have to admit, for someone who doesn’t like mushy, romantic films, the scenes with Kajol and I did make me feel all fuzzy and warm. There, I said it!” King Khan also said, “I don’t change the radio channel when a DDLJ song comes on. I can never get sick of them. They bring back memories of a film that shaped my path forward in an unforgettable way.”
The iconic ending of DDLJ with the train sequence, wasn’t even expected to be this huge and inspiring, “There could have been no other ending, but I did not think it would be as iconic as it eventually turned out to be,” the actor said.
To Shah Rukh, DDLJ gave him the superstardom that he enjoys today. He says, “I think DDLJ helped me cement my place and brought me fame in a way that I didn’t think it would. We were all living in the moment, trying to make the best film we could. There are so many reasons attributed to its success, but I don’t think any one specific thing can explain the phenomenon it has become. I think all the success is to be credited to the pure heart with which the film was made by Adi, Yashji, and the entire cast and crew—and my non-existent ‘good looks’.”
He further added, “As for perception, I always felt that I can play more unconventional roles because of my looks, but DDLJ has belied that and I still struggle to make that one macho unconventional kick-ass character which suits me, or so I thought, but its been a struggle to not be considered romantic and sweet for the last 25 years — a struggle, I guess, I am happy to lose.”
One of the ace directors of Bollywood, Aditya Chopra, had put his heart and soul into the making of his masterpiece as a debutante. He not only penned down the script but also created the magic on-screen with his amazing directorial skills. DDLJ had shattered all box office records back then and is still called one of the biggest all-time blockbusters in the history of Hindi cinema. With DDLJ Indian cinema had for the very first time known globally for its movies. The movie was the winner of record-breaking10 Filmfare Awards and also went on to become the longest-running Hindi film of all time!
For the unversed, DDLJ was made in 1995 with a total budget of 4 crore and the blockbuster. The movie had made collection of 89 crore in India, and13.50 crore in overseas markets, hence, making the total collection of102.50 crore worldwide.
