DDLJ – 17+ Interesting Facts Untold

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge – What a lengthy film title! Perhaps till 1995, it’s the lengthiest title ever chosen for an Indian movie and since then, choosing lengthy title names for movies has become superstition; many believe that lengthy title name coined from hit phrases of an old hit track gives guaranteed success for the movie. For example: Jab Pyar Kise Se Hota Hai, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, Mein Hoon Naa, E Dil Hai Muskil, Kabhi Alvida Na kehna, Jab Tak Hai Jaan etc. The movie is credited to redefine romance in Bollywood films, and of course 90’s kids too. Also read: SRK movie titles derived from film names.

Similar to the length of the movie title, the movie DDLJ completed 19 years at Maratha Mandir Mumbai in 2015 completing 1009 weeks of historic run, with noon show every day – creating a great record. A magic on Indian screen that may never repeat again, though the show was ended abruptly, owning to the huge demand from public, the show was re-installed again. DDLJ currently holds the record of longest running Indian film, almost completing 22 years of run. Through this column I shall share with you, some interesting facts related to DDLJ. You might have heard many of these facts, yet once more.

1. Aditya wrote the script in 3-4 weeks

DDLJ is one of the finest love stories ever. Though Aditya debut as a screenwriter and director in this film, it took hardly 3-4 weeks to complete the film’s script. He had a full idea of what he is going to direct, and scripted the film quickly in a short time span. For the director and crew it was only an ordinary film with an old formula re-written. No one never expected the film is going to become the biggest Bollywood film ever.

2. The first shot of DDLJ was taken from …..

Trafalgar Square of London – The shot of Baldev (Amrish Puri) feeding doves, a habit before he opens his liquor shop every day.

3. Two friends of Raj named Rocky and Robby become Bollywood directors later …..

The person who played the role of Rocky is none other than hit maker of present times – Karan Johar, who made many blockbusters with SRK later. Karan worked as an assistant for the film and the movie marked his debut screen appearance too. The second friend is Arjun Sablok, who directed Hritik in Na Tum Jaano Na Hum and Kajol’s sister Tanisha in Neal ‘n’ Nikki.

4. The popular tagline of DDLJ …..

Come….Fall in love

5. The name ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ was chosen by …..

Aditya Chopra, the director of the movie gives that credit of Kiran Kher, wife of Anupam Kher. Anupam Kher played the role of SRK’s father in the movie and Kiran Kher suggested that the hit song of Shashi Kapoor’s Shor Machaya Shor suits the storyline apt and thus, the name itself was later written in golden letters in the history of Indian cinema. Interestingly there is one less-known movie with the same title released in year 1980.

6. DDLJ completed 22 years in Maratha Mandir, Mumbai and still running ….

The movie was released on 20th October, 1995 had 1009 weeks of historic run in Maratha Mandir, before the show was stopped in February 2015. Though it was reported that the SRK-Kajol starrer will stop screening, the decision was pulled off owing to the huge public demand to screen the movie every day. The matinee show was cancelled for the first time in 22 years in July 18, 2017 for one day for the trailer screening of Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Haseena Parkar.

7. SRK or Kajol has never visited Maratha Mandir ……

It’s quite irony that the movie that made the leading pair, the established actors of Bollywood have never visited this theatre of Mumbai at least once! 

8. Saif Ali Khan was the first choice of Raj ….

Yes, but Saif Ali Khan didn’t give a positive nod to Aditya Chopra. SRK also rejected it first, as he was gaining popularity as an action star and anti-hero through the roles he played in Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam. He was not confident that people will accept him as a romantic hero. Also he thought he was too old for the role and not good looking. But Aditya Chopra convinced him finally and SRK changed his mind at last – the movie which changed the destiny of Khan in Bollywood, and which began new age romance in Bollywood. Still now, Shah Rukh Khan gives the credit to Yash Chopra for establishing him as the most successful star of Bollywood.

9. Kajol was not told about the climax of the song ‘Ruk Jaa’ ….

Director Aditya Chopra wanted the real expressions of Kajol, when she falls from Shah Rukh Khan’s arms at the end of the song – Ruk Jaa. So, she was not told about it, SRK literally dropped her on ground and expressions of Kajol are indeed real. Soon after the shoot, she became so angry that she didn’t talk to Aditya Chopra for a day. One more fact to add; Shah Rukh did the dance steps with table cloth in one take, and he got it right first time itself.

10. They were really Kher’s ancestors ……

In one of the early scenes, soon after Raj fails in exams, his father Anupam gives him a long lecture about his ancestors and their educational qualification. Actually the names he uses to give lecture to King Khan are his real ancestors.

11. First decision was to make a Hollywood movie with Tom Cruise

Originally Aditya Chopra wanted to make an English romantic movie telling the love story of a London boy and an Indian girl. He even decided to cast Tom Cruise as the hero. But his father, Yash Chopra insisted for a Bollywood movie and advised him to use Indian actors and thus this ‘fairy tale’ was made in Hindi, though its first half was shot at USA. This movie is also credited with first movie based on NRI theme.

12. Do you remember Sheena?

In the film, SRK is seen flirting with Sheena, Kajol’s friend who appears onscreen several times in the film. Her real name is Anaita Shroff Adajania who is into fashion industry now. She is the Fashion Director for Vogue India. She is also seen in the song Mere Khwabon Mei Jo Aaye, where SRK stops his bike to give a lift.

13. The car scene of Raj and Simran…..

The scene where the lead pair travels by car to Zurich is indeed popular. They are seen alone in the car. But while the scene was filmed, its director monitored the whole scene by lying in the back seat. To say, Aditya Chopra made his directorial debut with this film, the best and the most successful work of an Indian director ever.

14. Kajol’s iconic short skirt of ‘Mere Khwabon Mein’ was cut at shooting location….

The skirt designed by Manish Malhotra was cut short at shooting location, because the director felt it’s too long. But when the cut was done, it turned quite a bit shorter than what they expected. But the director decided to go with it. Also Kajol was at first reluctant to wear towel throughout the song. But the director handled both with ease, and gave a good result on screen. Kajol’s towel scene is one of the iconic scenes of the film, also her dance in monsoon.  

15. The hat was really purchased for a huge amount….

The leather jacket sported by Shah Rukh Khan is indeed iconic and no DDLJ fan can forget it easily. The hat was bought for $400 by Uday Chopra from a Harley- Davidson store in California.

16. The Making of DDLJ was edited by Karan Johar and Uday Chopra

A 1990s kid can never forget the ‘Making of DDLJ’ aired on Doordarshan just before film’s release. It was for the first time such an attempt on small screen, and it was done as a part of film’s promotion. A friend of mine thought that DDLJ is aired on Dooradarshan along with film’s theatric release. Not many knew, The Making of DDLJ video was edited by Karan Johar and Uday Chopra, who then worked as assistants to Aditya Chopra. They locked inside the edit room for many days to do the task.

17. Matinee show still costs 15-20 rupees….

The show is cheap, yet never making loss to theatre owners. During weekend shows, DDLJ runs houseful most times. For the past 2 decades or so, DDLJ’s Matinee show at Marata Theatre is deeply linked to many Mumbains who share some pleasant nostalgic memories and moments with this iconic film.

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