Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Poster of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Directed by Aditya Chopra
Produced by Yash Chopra
Written by Javed Siddiqui
(Dialogue)
Aditya Chopra
(Additional Dialogue)
Screenplay by Aditya Chopra
Story by Aditya Chopra
Starring Shah Rukh Khan
Kajol
Amrish Puri
Farida Jalal
Anupam Kher
Music by Jatin Lalit
Cinematography Manmohan Singh
Edited by Keshav Naidu
Production
company
Release dates
  • 20 October 1995
Running time
 189 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Hindi
Budget INR40 million (US$630,000)[2]
Box office INR1.22 billion (US$19 million)
worldwide[3][4]

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (English: The Brave-Hearted Will Take Away the Bride), also known as DDLJ,[5] is a 1995 Indian romantic drama film. It was written and directed by Aditya Chopra, produced by Yash Chopra, and stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The film tells the story of a young non-resident Indian couple, Raj and Simran, who fall in love during a European vacation, and relates how Raj attempts to win over the Simran's family, so that the couple can marry, despite Simran's father having long ago promised her for his friend's son. It was filmed in India, London and Switzerland.

Earning over INR1.06 billion (US$17 million) in India and INR160 million (US$2.5 million) overseas, it became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year, and one of the biggest hits of all time in India. It won 10 Filmfare Awards, the most for a single film at that time, and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film's soundtrack was one of the highest sellers of the 1990s, and songs from it are still popular at weddings.

The film was able to connect with different segments of society by simultaneously promoting strong family values, and the following of one's own heart. The success of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge led to other film makers creating product targeting the non-resident Indian audience, which was deemed more lucrative for them. The film also spawned many imitations of its story and style, and homages to specific scenes.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was one of two Hindi films in the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" along with Mother India. It was placed twelfth on the British Film Institute's list of top Indian films of all time. It is the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema, and as of early 2015 is still being shown at the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai after nearly 20 years.

Plot

Raj Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran Singh (Kajol) are two non-resident Indians (NRIs) living in London. Although both value their Indian roots, they have experienced different parenting styles. Simran has been raised by her conservative father Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri), while Raj's father (Anupam Kher) is very liberal. Simran has always dreamt of meeting a perfect boy who is the one for her. Her mother Lajjo (Farida Jalal) warns her against this, saying dreams are good but one should not blindly believe that dreams come true. One day, Baldev receives a letter from his friend Ajit (Satish Shah) who lives in Punjab. Ajit wants to keep a promise he and Baldev made to each other 20 years ago — to have Simran marry his son Kuljeet (Parmeet Sethi). Simran is disappointed — she does not want to marry someone whom she has never met.

One day, Raj asks his father if he can go on a train trip across Europe with his friends; he agrees. Later, Raj enters Baldev's shop after closing time, and fakes a strong headache, using it as a pretense to get the shop open to buy beer. When Baldev refuses, Raj grabs a case of beer, runs off, and throws the money on the counter. This infuriates Baldev; he calls Raj a disgrace to India. Meanwhile, Simran is invited by her friends to go on the same European train trip. She tells her father that she should be allowed to go because it will be her last chance to see the world before she marries a complete stranger. Baldev lets her go, but tells her not to betray his trust.

On the trip, Raj and Simran meet. Raj constantly flirts with Simran, much to her irritation. Then, the two miss their train to Zurich and are separated from their friends. They start to travel with one another to catch back up and become friends in the process. Raj falls in love with Simran on the journey and when they both part ways back in London, Simran realises that she is in love with him too. Simran tells her mother about the boy she met — Baldev overhears the conversation and becomes furious with her. He says that the family will move to India the next day. Meanwhile, Raj tells his father about Simran and that she is getting married soon. When Raj says he believes Simran loves him too, his father encourages him to go after her.

In India, Baldev is delighted to be reunited with his friend Ajit and all his relatives. Simran and her younger sister, Chutki, meet Kuljeet, Simran's fiancé, and instantly dislike him due to his arrogance. Simran still cannot forget Raj and is miserable about having to marry Kuljeet. Her mother tells her to forget Raj because she knows that Baldev will never accept it. The next morning, Simran is reunited with Raj out in the fields. She begs him run away with her, because she knows her father will never let them be together. Raj refuses and says he will only marry Simran with her father's consent. Raj befriends Kuljeet and quickly gets accepted by both families and builds a good rapport with them. Later, Raj's father arrives in India and also becomes friends with everyone. Eventually Lajjo and Chutki discover that Raj is the boy Simran fell in love with in Europe. Lajjo also tells Raj and Simran to run away, but he still refuses. Baldev finally accepts Raj, until he discovers a photograph of Raj and Simran together in Europe. He openly insults Raj, telling him to leave.

As Raj and his father are waiting at the station, Kuljeet and his friends arrive and attack them. Eventually Baldev and Ajit arrive and stop the fight. Raj boards the departing train with his father. Simran then appears with her mother and sister. She tries to join Raj on the train but Baldev stops her. Simran begs him to let her go, saying that she cannot live without Raj. Baldev thinks, and then realises that nobody can love his daughter more than Raj does. He lets her go, and she runs and catches the train as it takes off.

Cast

Production

Origin and scripting

Aditya Chopra had assisted his father, the director/producer Yash Chopra, during the making of Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991), and Darr (1993).[6] During this time, he had been writing several of his own scripts, including one that he assumed would be his first, but eventually became his second film, Mohabbatein.[7] For three years he worked on the story that would become Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge before approaching his father to direct it. Yash Chopra did not want to do it, but persuaded Aditya to direct it himself.[8] As they were discussing ideas for the script, Aditya came up with the notion that Raj would seek permission from Simran's stern father, rather than eloping with her. This got him excited about the possibly of directing it himself. After his mother Pamela agreed that the idea was solid, he decided to make this his directorial debut.[9] Aditya Chopra's intent was to make a wholesome film that people could watch repeatedly. He wanted to show that unlike the typical plot where lovers run away when their parents object, that if the love was strong enough, the parents will eventually understand.[8]

On May 1994, Aditya Chopra narrated his first script to several members of the Yash Raj Films production team assigned to work with him, including a cinematographer, art director, and dialogue writer. They were not impressed, but Aditya Chopra held fast to his ideas.[10] He was given total editorial control and made the film according to his own tastes and sensibilities.[11] Aditya Chopra struggled with both the dialogue writer Javed Siddiqui and the song lyricist Anand Bakshi to develop words that were "young-sounding".[12] There were personal clashes over writing credits on the final script. Pamela Chopra's good friend Honey Irani believed that she deserved a writing credit that she did not receive, and Javed Siddiqui believed that Aditya Chopra did not deserve partial credit for the dialogues. Both writers never again worked with Yash Raj Films.[13] After viewing the script, Yash Chopra was consulted about the songs, but mostly left the creative process up to his son.[11] He did not even view major portions of the film until it was nearly complete.[14]

Casting

Aditya Chopra originally envisioned Tom Cruise for the role of Raj, as he wanted it to be an affair between an American and an Indian, but was dissuaded by Yash Chopra, who did not want a foreign star.[15] They decided to go with a theme of non-resident Indians (NRIs). Aditya Chopra asked Saif Ali Khan to play the lead role, because he was having problems convincing Shah Rukh Khan to do it.[16] Saif declined for unknown reasons,[17] causing Aditya Chopra to continue pursuing Shah Rukh Khan.[16] Shah Rukh was not interested initially because of the romantic nature of the role; he was having success playing villainous roles prior to this film. Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan had four separate meetings over a several week period. Aditya Chopra eventually convinced Shah Rukh Khan by telling him that he could never be a superstar unless he became "every woman's dream man, and every mother's dream son".[10] Shah Rukh Khan has since then expressed his gratitude to Aditya Chopra for making him a star with this film.[7]

Kajol was the first choice to play Simran, and she quickly agreed.[18] She and Shah Rukh Khan had previously worked together in Baazigar (1993) and Karan Arjun (1995). Kajol described her character to be very difficult for her to relate with, whereas Shah Rukh Khan claimed that Raj's personality was very similar to his own.[19] Although Chopra was assigned Sameer Sharma as the assistant director, he asked for two additional assistants, who were his brother Uday Chopra, and his friend Karan Johar. Johar also played a small role in the film as Raj's friend.[20] Sharmishta Roy was the art director,[21] and Manish Malhotra was in charge of costume design. While Malhotra had many new ideas, Aditya Chopra wanted to keep the clothing style simple; he did not want it to distract from the story.[22]

Filming

A church with a high steeple on a green field
The Church of Saint Grat in Montbovon, one of the filming locations in Switzerland

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was filmed in several 5, 10 and 20-day schedules, from September 1994 to August 1995.[23] The first sequence filmed was with Kajol in Switzerland for the song "Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko".[24] Filming of the European trip scenes and songs was done primarily in Switzerland, including Saanen, Montbovon, and Gstaad.[25][26][27] Most of the other scenes were shot in England, at locations including Trafalgar Square, King's Cross railway station and Angel tube station, and in India.[28][29][30]

Saroj Khan was the choreographer throughout most of the production, but after several disputes between her and Aditya Chopra, she was replaced by Farah Khan near the end of the shoot. After the films eventual success, Saroj Khan apologized to Aditya Chopra for underestimating him, but she never worked with him again.[31] Farah Khan choreographed the song "Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane",[32] during which Aditya Chopra did not inform Kajol that Shah Rukh Khan was going to drop her, as he wanted to capture her genuine reaction.[33] The film's title was suggested by actress Kirron Kher, and was taken from the song "Le Jayenge Le Jayenge" from the 1974 film Chor Machaye Shor.[34] The Raj character sings small parts of this song during the story, and it recurs at the end. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is believed to be the only film with a "Title suggested by" credit.[35]

Towards the end of the shooting schedule, Shah Rukh Khan had to split his time between this film and Trimurti (1995), spending half of his day on each film.[36] In early August 1995, when filming was not yet finished, a release date in October was decided on, around the time of the Diwali festival. Jatin Lalit were given only 10 days to complete the background score, and the first copies were printed on 30 September.[36] After filming was complete, Aditya Chopra decided to make a Hollywood-style documentary of the film-making process, which had never before been done in India. Karan Johar and Uday Chopra were put in charge, as they had been recording some of the process along the way. On 18 October, two days before the film's release, the 30-minute special Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, The Making was aired on Doordarshan.[36]

Themes

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge repeats the usual conservative agenda of family, courtship and marriage, but it proposes that Indian family values are portable assets that can be upheld regardless of country of residence.[37] To prove this, Raj (the NRI who was brought up in London) is seen as the "good guy" of the story, whereas Kuljeet (raised in India) is seen as the "bad guy". This is a reversal from typical Indian films, which usually portray Indians as being morally superior to Westerners.[38] Here, NRIs were validated as potential model Indians citizens, even while living abroad.[39]

The story aims to capture the struggle between traditional family values and the modern value of individualism.[40] Although Raj and Simran want to be together regardless of her father's plans for her, Raj tries to win over the father rather than simply eloping. In this and other Indian stories, family values are ultimately considered more important than the romantic plot. Individual desires have to take a back seat to moral values and rules of conduct.[41] The film implies that "Indianness" can be defined by the importance of family life: whether at home or abroad, it is the Indian family system that is recognised as the social institution that most defines being Indian.[42]

There are themes of the purity/sanctity of women being related to the purity/sanctity of the nation. In the scene after Raj and Simran spend the night together, and Simran is concerned that something happened, Raj tells her: "You think I am beyond values, but I am a Hindustani, and I know what a Hindustani girl’s izzat (honour) is worth. Trust me, nothing happened last night." This speaks to the Indian diaspora and their need to try and sustain their value system,[43] as well as the male's responsibility to protect the Indian woman's sexual purity.[44] The Routledge Encyclopedia of Films notes a running theme of unfulfilled desires in the film, as exemplified by Raj's father telling him to enjoy life, since his own was a struggle, and Simran's mother telling her to run away with Raj, because she was unable to live her own dreams.[45]

Scott Jordan Harris, writing for RogerEbert.com suggests that the films popularity lies in its ability to effectively convey two opposing themes, appealing to different portions of society. He said, "It argues that we should follow our hearts and chase happiness wherever it leads, regardless of the obstacles in our paths, while simultaneously suggesting we should respect the ways of our elders, particularly our parents, and do nothing that challenges their will."[46] Rachel Dwyer said that the film was important for presenting marriage as an understanding between parents and children. While fighting the old tradition of the arranged marriage, it still encouraged the importance of seeking parental consent, even for a love marriage.[47]

Soundtrack

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Soundtrack album by Jatin Lalit
Released 25 July 1995
Genre Feature Film Soundtrack
Length 40:27
Label HMV, Saregama
Producer Jatin Lalit

The Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge soundtrack features seven songs composed by Jatin Lalit, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi and voice rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, and Udit Narayan.[48] Jatin Lalit were considered for the job, their first collaboration with Yash Raj Films, when singer Asha Bhosle contacted Yash Chopra after meeting the duo. They secured the job after singing "Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" for Yash Chopra. In return, they ensured that she got to sing a song, "Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main". Yash Chopra's wife Pamela Chopra helped them to select tunes and instruments to give some of the songs a Punjabi flavour.[49] Bhasker Gupta wrote for AllMusic that the soundtrack was the best of Jatin Lalit's career, and called it the beginning of the fifth wave in Indian cinema soundtracks.[50] Avinash Ramchandani of Planet Bollywood gave the soundtrack 4 out of 4 stars, saying that Jatin Lalit's first soundtrack for Yash Raj Films fit very well with previous films from the company, and called it one of the duo's best efforts.[51]

The soundtrack became the best selling Bollywood soundtrack of the year with 9-12 million units sold according to HMV, although it is estimated that the same number or more copies were pirated.[52][53] More than 1 million of those sales occurred prior to the film's release.[36] It was listed by Planet Bollywood as number 6 on their list of 100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks,[54] and in 2005 was judged the top Hindi soundtrack of all time by on-line voters on the BBC Asian Network.[55] Anand Bakshi won his third Filmfare Best Lyricist award after 14 years,[56] having two nominations for this film.[57][58] The wedding song "Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" from the film became an all-time hit, and is played in weddings across the South Asian diaspora to this day.[49][59]

No. TitleSingers Length
1. "Ghar Aaja Pardesi"  Manpreet Kaur, Pamela Chopra 7:29
2. "Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko"  Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan 5:49
3. "Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna"  Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan 4:50
4. "Mere Khwabon Mein"  Lata Mangeshkar 4:30
5. "Tujhe Dekha To"  Lata Mangeshkar, Kumar Sanu 6:41
6. "Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane"  Udit Narayan 5:14
7. "Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main"  Asha Bhosle, Abhijeet Bhattacharya 5:51

Release

Box office

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge opened to sold out shows and favourable reviews worldwide.[60] Every show in every theatre in Mumbai save one was completely full for the first week.[61] The film was popular among both resident Indians and NRIs.[62] San Francisco's 720-seat Naz theatre saw 1000 people arrive for the first showing, and were forced to run another show late that night. In the UK, the film ran for over a year.[63]

Earning over INR1.06 billion (US$17 million) in India and INR160 million (US$2.5 million) overseas, the film became the biggest Bollywood hit of the year,[4][64] and second highest grossing of the 1990s behind Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!. It was the second Bollywood film to gross over INR1 billion (US$16 million) worldwide,[65] and one of the biggest Bollywood hits of all time.[66] Adjusted for inflation, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is believed to be among the top five highest grossing Hindi films; its adjusted gross is approximately INR2.93 billion (US$47 million).[67] As of 2009, the film had generated over INR60 million (US$950,000) in revenues for the Maratha Mandir theatre, where it had been running since its initial release.[68] In later years the theatre ran one matinee show per day (at lower than normal ticket prices) which averaged over 50% occupancy.[69]

Reception

An initial review by weekly magazine Screen said of Aditya Chopra, "A young master arrives."[61] Tom Vick reviewed the film for Allmovie and said, "An immensely likeable movie, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge performs the rarely achieved feat of stretching a predictable plot over three hours and making every minute enjoyable."[70] When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge toured the United States in 2004 as part of the Cinema India showcase, "The Changing Face of Indian Cinema",[71] Charles Taylor reviewed the film for Salon.com and said: "It's a flawed, contradictory movie—aggressive and tender, stiff and graceful, clichéd and fresh, sophisticated and naive, traditional and modern. It's also, I think, a classic."[72] Avinash Ramchandani of Planet Bollywood gave the film a 9/10 rating and stated, "Comedy and story, this movie has both, following in the Yash Raj lineage of delivering memorable films." He remarked, "Aditya Chopra has balanced his film well and delivered a memorable film that will probably be watched for years to come.[73]

Anupama Chopra said, "Perhaps the innocence of Raj and Simran’s romance in which they can spend the night together without sex because Raj, the bratish NRI understands the importance of an Indian woman’s honor. Perhaps it’s the way in which the film artfully reaffirms the patriarchal status quo and works for all constituencies—the NRI and the local viewer. Or perhaps it’s the magic of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol who created a template for modern love, which was hip and cool but resolutely Indian."[74] She also called the film a milestone that shaped Hindi cinema through the 1990s, and one of her personal favourites.[7] In 2004, Meor Shariman of The Malay Mail called the film a "must watch" for Bollywood fans, and also for those seeking an introduction to Bollywood.[75]

Raja Sen gave a reflective review for Rediff.com in 2005, calling the film one of the best Hindi films made in the previous 20 years. He said "Shah Rukh Khan gives a fabulous performance, redefining the Lover for the 1990s with great panache", and called Kajol a "real-as-life actress bringing warmth and credulity" to her role. He called the film well balanced and noted that only the fight scene and some mother-daughter dialogue can wear after multiple viewings.[76] Omer M. Mozaffar, writing for Roger Ebert's website in 2012, likened the film to a Disney princess story, stating, "the young princess feeling trapped by the traditional patriarchy, seeking freedom through discovering the world, but finally finding it through silent, but inappropriate love. The Little Mermaid. Beauty (of the Beast). Jasmine (friends with Aladdin). Pocahontas. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). And here, Simran".[77] Scott Jordan Harris, also writing for Roger Ebert in 2014, called it "one of the world’s favorite films", while saying that it plays as a masterful soap opera, with one of the best screen couples ever seen.[46]

Accolades

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was ranked amongst Indiatimes Movies list of the 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[78] It was one of the three Hindi films in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list (the others being Mother India (1957) and Deewaar (1975)).[79] It was placed twelfth on the British Film Institute's list of top Indian films of all time.[80] It is one of the films on Box Office India's list of "Biggest Blockbusters Ever in Hindi Cinema".[81] Anupama Chopra included the film in her list of "The 20 Best Hindi Films Ever Made".[74]

The film set the record at the time for the most Filmfare awards won by a single film with ten.[82] It was also the second film to win the four major awards (Best Film, Director, Actor and Actress), after Guide in 1966.[57][58]

Award Category Nominee Result
National Film Awards[83] National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Yash Chopra Won
Filmfare Awards[57][58] Best Film Yash Chopra Won
Best Director Aditya Chopra
Best Actor Shah Rukh Khan
Best Actress Kajol
Best Supporting Actress Farida Jalal
Best Performance in a Comic Role Anupam Kher
Best Lyricist Anand Bakshi ("Tujhe Dekha To")
Best Screenplay Aditya Chopra
Best Dialogue Aditya Chopra, Javed Siddiqui
Best Male Playback Singer Udit Narayan ("Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna")
Best Supporting Actor Amrish Puri Nominated
Best Music Director Jatin Lalit
Best Male Playback Singer Kumar Sanu ("Tujhe Dekha To")
Best Lyricist Anand Bakshi ("Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar Sajna")
Screen Awards[84] Best Film Yash Chopra Won
Best Director Aditya Chopra
Best Actor Shah Rukh Khan

Legacy

Historic box office run

Shah Rukh Khan hugs Kajol
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol celebrating 1000 weeks of continuous showing of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in 2014

In 2001, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge overtook Sholay (1975), which had run for over five years at the Minerva theatre, as the longest-running film in Indian cinema history.[85] It has been showing at the Maratha Mandir theatre, which was famous for having shown Mughal-e-Azam (1960) for three years, since its original release in 1995.[86] People keep coming back not just to see the film, but also to be a part of an experience.[87] There are often people in the audience that have seen the film 50 times or more, but still clap, cheer, mouth the dialogues, and sing along with the songs,[7][88] raising comparisons with the longest running film in America, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).[87]

In early 2011, a theatre strike threatened the film's uninterrupted showing streak. Producer Yash Chopra contacted theatre owners to try and ensure that the film would continue. He hoped that the film would continue to run for at least 1000 weeks,[89] which it did achieve in December 2014.[69] To commemorate the event, cast members including Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Anupam Kher, Farida Jalal, Mandira Bedi and Pooja Ruparel appeared on the television show Comedy Nights with Kapil.[90] Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and director Aditya Chopra also attended a live chat with fans and a black tie event at the theatre on 12 December.[91] The same day, they unveiled a coffee table book about the making of the film, written by Aditya Chopra.[92] Also in December, Yash Raj Film announced the availability of a collection of 1000 weeks commemorative licensed merchandise from various suppliers.[93] The Maratha Mandir's management pulled the film after 1009 weeks on 19 February 2015 due to low attendance, the last show being witnessed by an audience of 210.[94] However, after an outpouring of support from fans, they decided to reinstate the film.[95]

Influence

A woman in a dress runs to catch a train while a man is waiting with his hand out to help her
Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in the climactic train scene

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge spawned many imitators of its story and style, especially throughout the 1990s.[96] According to the Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema, it and a handful of other films and young directors at this time started the trend of "designer" films. They were said to be "a carefully packaged and branded product in which every little visual and physical detail [...] is of utmost importance".[97]

Yash Raj Films was previously known for using foreign (non-Indian) locations for item numbers in their films.[98] Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge started the trend for films designed to appeal to the Indian diaspora, which have foreign locations as integral parts of the story.[98] The characters are themselves diaspora, and tend to be able to move around with ease between India and the West.[99] Some films that later followed this trend include Pardes (1997), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Salaam Namaste (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006); the diaspora market is seen as a safer financial investment than the desi market. The film became the first Hindi film blockbuster to feature NRIs as main characters.[99][100] It helped to establish the diaspora market as a vital source of revenue for the industry.[101]

Several later films have paid homage to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The Karan Johar produced Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) was directly inspired by it.[5] The films Jab We Met (2007), Bodyguard (2011), Chalo Dilli (2011), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), and Chennai Express (2013) each include scenes similar to the climactic train sequence, wherein a girl is running to catch a moving train and is helped aboard by a boy with his outstretched arm.[102][103] The British film Slumdog Millionaire (2008) contained a similar train scene, and the dance scene was partially shot at the same train station as the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge finale scene.[5]

Impact

Audiences appreciated the screen chemistry of the duo of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol,[76] who went on to work together in several other successful films including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), and My Name Is Khan (2010), and are often referred to as Indian cinema's most loved on-screen couple.[104][105] Shah Rukh Khan himself credits this film with making him a star,[7] and says that the film "changed the entire scene for romantic movies of the 90s".[106] Bhaichand Patel said in Bollywood's Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge "reinvented Bollywood romances so decisively that we can neatly divide them into two eras — before DDLJ and after DDLJ".[107] Actress Farida Jalal claimed that the film gave her career a boost, saying that she got many offers and "could quote any price".[108]

The British Film Institute (BFI) commissioned a book about Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. It was the first Hindi film chosen for a series of studies on international films, called "BFI Modern Classics". The author was Anupama Chopra, and the book was released in 2002.[6][109][110] It was re-issued as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.: The Making of a Blockbuster by Harper-Collins in paperback in 2004.[111] After an unexpectedly long delay, the film was released on DVD by Yash Raj Films in 2002.[112] The release included The Making and 300 Weeks Celebration documentaries, Success Story (highlights from the film's premiere), clips from the 41st Filmfare Awards ceremony, and other interviews.[113]

In 2006, members of the film team were honoured at a dinner event on the occasion of the film's 500 week anniversary. It was hosted by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai and by Switzerland Tourism.[114] In 2010, Yash Raj Films signed an agreement with Indian and Swiss tour companies to provide a tour package called "YRF Enchanted Journey", to allow people visiting Switzerland to view sites and filming locations from famous Yash Raj films including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.[26][27] In 2014, Yash Raj Films released Aditya Chopra Relives... Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (As Told to Nasreen Munni Kabir), an attractive but expensive book about the making of the film.[115] In response to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi quoting a line from the American film franchise Star Wars during a visit to the United States, U.S. President Barack Obama decided to quote a line from a Hindi film during his visit to India in January 2015. He chose a line from this film, "Senorita..bade bade desho mein".[116]

References

  1. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Baker, Steven (12 January 2013). "Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol's 'DDLJ' completes 900 weeks". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Top Worldwide Grossers ALL TIME: 37 Films Hit 110 Crore". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Jha, Subhash K. (13 July 2014). "The DDLJ Hangover In Bollywood". SKJ Bollywood News. Retrieved 19 March 2015. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, known the worldover by the amiable acronym DDLJ
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "About Aditya Chopra". Yash Raj Films. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Kulkarni, Ronjita (8 October 2003). "Shah Rukh did not want to do DDLJ". Rediff.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "I was keen to do DDLJ with newcomers". Filmfare. 10 December 2014. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Chopra 2002, pp. 31–32.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chopra 2002, p. 36.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "When I saw DDLJ I was in tears". Filmfare. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 39.
  13. ↑ Chopra 2002, pp. 50–51.
  14. ↑ Chopra 2002, pp. 44,47.
  15. ↑ "Cruise was the first choice for DDLJ!". The Times of India. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Saif was to romance Kajol". The Times of India. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  17. ↑ Naval-Shetye, Aakanksha (18 May 2013). "You refused that film?". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  18. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 35.
  19. ↑ 300 Weeks Celebration. Event occurs at 10:30-11:30. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  20. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 34.
  21. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 33.
  22. ↑ Chopra 2002, pp. 42–43.
  23. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 40.
  24. ↑ Singh, Harneet (19 November 2012). "Screen exclusive! Love me tender: Shah Rukh Khan". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  25. ↑ Kaur, Jasleen (July 2014). "Bollywood in Swiss Alps". India-Outbound. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Tagliabue, John (11 July 2010). "A Beloved Bollywood Extra Draws Indians". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Yash Raj Films "Enchanted Journey" Switzerland". Yash Raj Films. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  28. ↑ Singh, Amar (14 May 2007). "Bollywood comes to London". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  29. ↑ Khubchandani, Lata (5 February 2001). "DDLJ story goes to the roots of Indian culture". Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  30. ↑ Dwyer 2014, p. 59.
  31. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 52.
  32. ↑ Chopra 2002, pp. 45–46.
  33. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Lesser Known facts". The Times of India. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  34. ↑ Vijayakar, Rajiv (12 December 2014). "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Epic always". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  35. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 37.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 Chopra 2002, pp. 46–48.
  37. ↑ Uberoi 1997, pp. 305,333.
  38. ↑ Ganti 2004, p. 42.
  39. ↑ Mehta & Pandharipande 2011, pp. 1–2.
  40. ↑ Virdi 2003, p. 208.
  41. ↑ Eckstein 2008, p. 51.
  42. ↑ Punathambekar 2005, p. 160.
  43. ↑ Punathambekar 2005, p. 158.
  44. ↑ Virdi 2003, p. 197.
  45. ↑ Haenni, Barrow & White 2014, p. 207.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Harris, Scott Jordan (18 December 2014). ""Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge": The Record-Breaking Bollywood Rom-Com Celebrating 1000 Weeks in Cinemas". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  47. ↑ Dwyer 2014, p. 160.
  48. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Jha, Subhash K. (16 December 2014). "We got DDLJ on Asha Bhosle's recommendation". Rediff.com. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  50. ↑ Gupta, Bhasker. "Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge [Saregama]". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  51. ↑ Ramchandani, Avinash. "Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  52. ↑ "Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  53. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 9.
  54. ↑ Lall, Randy. "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks Ever — Part 4". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  55. ↑ "Asian Network — Top 40 Soundtracks of All Time". BBC Asian Network. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  56. ↑ Gulzar, Nihalani & Chatterjee 2003, p. 527.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 "The Winners – 1995– The 51st Filmfare Awards". India Times. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 "The Nominations – 1995– The 51st Filmfare Awards". India Times. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  59. ↑ "Story behind 'Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna'". The Times of India. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  60. ↑ Lalwani, Vickey (5 August 2010). "800 weeks of DDLJ". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Chopra 2002, pp. 49–50.
  62. ↑ Kavoori & Punathambekar 2008, p. 210.
  63. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 14.
  64. ↑ "Box Office 1995". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  65. ↑ "The 100 Crore Worlwide Grossers: 34 Films Since 1994". Box Office India. 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  66. ↑ "All Time Grossers". Box Office India. 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  67. ↑ "Top Lifetime Inflation Adjusted Grossers Worldwide". Box Office India. 2011. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  68. ↑ Gattani, Shruti (17 October 2009). "Nostalgia Unplugged!". Box Office India. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "'DDLJ' to complete 1000 weeks at Maratha Mandir theatre on Friday". CNN-IBN. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  70. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge:Critics' Reviews". MSN. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  71. ↑ "Cinema India! – The Changing Face of Indian Cinema". Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Archived from the original on 29 December 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  72. ↑ Taylor, Charles (17 June 2004). "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". Salon.com. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  73. ↑ Ramchandani, Avinash. "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge — Movie Review". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Chopra, Anupama. "Top 20 Movie Reviews". NDTV. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  75. ↑ Shariman, Meor (5 August 2004). "Re-viewing Bollywood classics". The Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge are 'must watch' for every Bollywood fan. In fact, viewers seeking an introduction to Bollywood should also check them out. – via Highbeam (subscription required)
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Sen, Raja (13 May 2005). "DDLJ: Ten years, everybody cheers". Rediff.com. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  77. ↑ Mozaffar, Omer M. (20 March 2012). "D D L J — Dee Dee Ell Jay". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  78. ↑ Kanwar, Rachna (3 October 2005). "25 Must See Bollywood Movies". India Times. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  79. ↑ "1001 Series". Quintessence Editions. Retrieved 22 November 2010. Search for the title
  80. ↑ "Top 10 Indian Films". British Film Institute. 2002. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  81. ↑ "The Biggest Blockbusters Ever in Hindi Cinema". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  82. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (there goes the bride)". Indian Film Festival, The Hague. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  83. ↑ "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 10. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  84. ↑ "Screen Award winners for the year 1995". Screen. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  85. ↑ "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Breaks Sholay's Record". Rediff.com. 5 February 2001. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  86. ↑ "Mughal-e-Azam mural at 24 Karat". Sify. 2 November 2004. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 Marchive, Laurane (10 May 2009). "DDLJ record Le Jayenge". Mid Day. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  88. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 8.
  89. ↑ Lalwani, Vickey (26 March 2010). "Raj, Simran's love uninterrupted". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  90. ↑ "Shah Rukh Khan celebrates DDLJ’s 1000 weeks on Kapil Sharma’s show". The Indian Express. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  91. ↑ "Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol celebrate 1000 weeks of DDLJ at Maratha Mandir". Deccan Chronicle. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  92. ↑ Joshi, Priya (15 December 2014). "Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol celebrate 1000 weeks of DDLJ at Yash Raj Studio". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  93. ↑ "1000 Weeks Commemorative DDLJ Merchandise!". Yash Raj Films. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  94. ↑ Ramasubramanian, Uma (19 February 2015). "Maratha Mandir brings down curtains on DDLJ after 20 years". Business Standard. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  95. ↑ "DDLJ to continue its run at Maratha Mandir". The Hindu (Chennai, India). Press Trust of India. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  96. ↑ Chopra 2002, p. 11.
  97. ↑ Gulzar, Nihalani & Chatterjee 2003, p. 127.
  98. ↑ 98.0 98.1 Punathambekar 2005, p. 153.
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 Desai, Lord Meghnad (25 November 2007). "Bollywood needs to change its act". The Hindu (Chennai, India). Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  100. ↑ "The Swiss honour Yash Chopra, woo Bollywood". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 13 October 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  101. ↑ Kavoori & Punathambekar 2008, p. 5.
  102. ↑ Bohni, Bandyopadhyay (20 July 2013). "Trains and filmi romance". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  103. ↑ Lalwani, Vickey (19 May 2011). "Salman steals SRK's DDLJ scene". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  104. ↑ Ramsubramaniam, Nikhil (12 February 2011). "10 Best Onscreen Romantic Couples of the Decade". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  105. ↑ Dedhia, Sonil (13 December 2014). "Shah Rukh Khan: DDLJ was and will always be about Simran". Rediff.com. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  106. ↑ "SRK Doesn't Mind Salman Copying DDLJ Scene". NDTV. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  107. ↑ Patel 2012, pp. 235–236.
  108. ↑ Dedhia, Sonil (10 December 2014). "After DDLJ, I could quote any price". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  109. ↑ "Dilwale dulhania le jayenge = (The brave-hearted will take the bride)". WorldCat. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  110. ↑ "Anupama Chopra". anupamachopra.com. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  111. ↑ "Dilwale dulhania le jayenge : the making of a blockbuster". WorldCat. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  112. ↑ Lutgendorf, Philip. "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". South Asian Studies Program, University of Iowa. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  113. ↑ Horne, Stephen (5 October 2005). "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) Region 0 DVD Video Review". The Digital Fix. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  114. ↑ "D.D.L.J. team felicitated by Swiss Consulate". Bollywood Hungama. 10 April 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  115. ↑ Bhatia, Sidharth (31 January 2015). "DDLJ diaries". The Hindu (Chennai, India). Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  116. ↑ Bawa, Jyoti Sharma (28 January 2015). "There's a back story to Barack Obama's DDLJ quote". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 31 March 2015.

Bibliography

External links