Kajol: DDLJ is timeless because everybody identifies with Raj & Simran

19 October,2020 07:48 AM IST |  Mumbai  |  mid-day online correspondent

Kajol gets nostalgic as her most successful and remembered film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, clocks 25 years and still continues to run in the cinemas.

Picture Courtesy: Official Instagram Account/Kajol


October 25, 1995, could very well be described as the most iconic date for Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Aditya Chopra, and perhaps everyone associated with the blockbuster romantic drama, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. It wasn't just the highest grossing film of the year but still continues to play at the matinee show in Maratha Mandir.

Raj and Simran have transformed into a couple for the ages and fans still enjoy its reruns on television. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (lovingly also called DDLJ), directed by Aditya Chopra, completes 25 years today and the film's leading lady opens up about why the film is hailed as the most loved romantic film in the history of Indian cinema.

DDLJ shattered all box office records and is one of the biggest all-time blockbusters in the history of Hindi cinema. It also went on to become the longest-running Hindi film of all time as it has played in theatres for 25 long years! Kajol says, "I think DDLJ is timeless because everybody identifies somewhere down the line with Simran and with Raj. I think they just like these characters a lot! They have liked them for years and years now and it's one of those things that you always like and probably will always like."

Kajol's character Simran, redefined portrayal of women on screen. Simran was traditional yet modern in her outlook and was hugely relatable to people. Kajol says, "I thought Simran was a little boring to be honest, but I recognized her. I realized there is a lot of Simran in almost everybody we know, there is always that wanting to do the right thing in someone. Lot of people don't do the right thing but we always want to do that. You want to get that approval, you want to get that feeling of you are approved of and that you are doing something right in the world. So, yes Simran was like that. I thought she was just cool, a little old-fashioned but cool."

Talking about her director, Aditya Chopra, whose debut directorial DDLJ became a trailblazing film in Indian pop culture history, Kajol says, "I think what sets Adi apart is probably his conviction. He is very, very convinced of what he is making and doesn't take on a project if he isn't absolutely convinced about it. That really is what sets him apart. He is not willing to let go off that basic core conviction that he has in his characters and he knows them best."

Kajol and SRK are an eternal on-screen romantic jodi who have made generations of Indians fall in love with the idea of romance and it started with DDLJ. Kajol tells us about what she loved about Simran and Raj.

The acclaimed actress says, "We were shooting for DDLJ and we never thought that we were making this! We just thought we were going to make a really cool film together and hopefully, it will be a hit film and we were all crossing our fingers that the music will do well etc but I don't think anyone of us ever realized the kind of impact DDLJ would have on people when they saw it!"

DDLJ is also the winner of a record-breaking (at the time) 10 Filmfare Awards and the film literally changed the face of Bollywood globally. The film was made at a budget of 4 crore and the blockbuster, in 1995, collected 89 crore in India, 13.50 crore in overseas markets. Thus, total collections stood at 102.50 crore worldwide in 1995! In today's inflation adjusted value, DDLJ's collection stands at a staggering 455 crore in India and 69 crore in overseas territories, taking the total worldwide collections to a phenomenal 524 crore!

'Keep scrolling to read more news'

Also Read: Manish Malhotra: DDLJ Costumes Were Real But Were Dreamy, Aspirational And That Worked!

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
dilwale dulhania le jayenge kajol bollywood news Entertainment News
Related Stories