Anupam Kher says Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' would not work for today's audience: 'Now it’s like, fall in love today, and have s*x the next day...'

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is gearing up for the release of his upcoming movie ‘Metro... In Dino’ alongside Neena Gupta. In a recent interview, Anupam shared his thoughts on the changing portrayal of love in cinema. The actor feels that Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge may not be accepted if it were originally released today.

Anupam Kher about how the portrayal of love has changed in movies

During a conversation with India Today, Anupam reflected on how the portrayal of love in films has changed over time, noting that cinema mirrors societal shifts — from the songs and language to how love is expressed. He added that earlier films carried a certain kashish (appeal) and emotional longing that is often missing today. “In those times, we never used to speak directly. Falling in love took time. Even going to bed with someone wasn’t immediate — first love, then marriage, then sex. Now it’s like, fall in love today, and have sex the next day. There’s nothing wrong with it, I’m not judging. But that’s how it’s shown now,” he stated.



Anupam Kher says Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will not work for today's audience

He wishes to watch a movie that has a certain appeal to it. He feels Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was such a beautiful romantic film as it had all of these elements in it. He is unable to recall any good romantic films released in recent times, as he feels all of them have a sort of restlessness.

But Anupam also admitted that society has changed a lot and that old-school love stories may not work for today’s audience.

Anupam cited Shah Rukh and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge as an example and stated that it would not work for today's audience the way it did in the past. “Today, it works because of its nostalgic value. But if it were made for the first time now, it wouldn’t have had the same impact. Just like Gone with the Wind — if it were made today, it wouldn’t resonate the same way. Times have changed, life has changed. Back then, in the late '90s and earlier, we had stories of couples eloping. But DDLJ was the first time when the hero said, ‘I will convince your father. Only then will we marry.’ That was new. The father tells his son, ‘You failed in London? Good. We’ve all failed in India too.’ These were fresh, grounded characters,” he revealed.


About Metro... In Dino
Metro... In Dino, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan, will hit theatres on July 4.