Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Lesser Known facts

Shah Rukh Khan: Dilwale can’t repeat DDLJ’s magic!

Year 2017 has marked twenty-two years since the iconic Bollywood romantic entertainer. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, released. The film is still being screened at a Mumbai theatre. According to reports, the movie’s leading man Shah Rukh Khan holds the film close to his heart, but says there are better films that were made and will be made. “There are better films that were made and will be made than DDLJ. Yes, realistically and practically speaking, maybe there won’t be any films that will run for 20 years now because of strong digital world, but it’s not that there will be no films better than DDLJ,” said SRK. “I am sure there will be 100 films better because all of us (actors and filmmakers) would try to give better than the best with every film,” the King of Romance said. Asked if Dilwale has the potential to repeat the magic of 20-year long run of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, SRK, who’s also a successful film producer, said: “I don't think, as time has changed.”

‘Befikre’ kicks off with a Paris schedule

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have created a frenzy on social media as they recreated an iconic pose from their hit yesteryear film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. And to do his bit to remember the iconic film, director Aditya Chopra has begun the shooting of his next film, Befikre on the same day when DDLJ had hit the screen, 20 years ago. It was on October 20, 2015, that Aditya Chopra's debut movie released and on this day exactly 20 years later, the official prep work for Befikre began in Paris. Befikre is one of the much awaited Yash Raj Film. It stars Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor in the lead roles. Seems like Aditya Chopra wants to relive DDLJ with his next film.

Read on to know why Shah Rukh Khan had nearly refused Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge...

Shah Rukh Khan nearly refused 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'?

It has been 20 years since the release of the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and a documentary made to commemorate the occasion reveals some interesting trivia related to the film. In this documentary titled Making of DDLJ, Shah Rukh Khan reveals that he was quite apprehensive about the film and had almost refused it since he felt that his role was too "girlish". The charming actor also mentions that he was going through a low phase just before the start of the film, due to his sister’s illness. This documentary also features several unseen footages and interviews of the cast.

Click on the next slide to view a picture from the sets of Dilwale...

Fresh pictures from the sets of Dilwale are leaking on the social media quite often these days. The lead pair of the film - Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol - are shooting in Bulgaria and these leaked pictures are a big respite for the fans who just can’t wait for the film to release. Well, pictures tell the story and a picture from the sets of Dilwale tells something crucial about the film. The director of the film, Rohit Shetty, is standing against the yellow mustard fields, which indicates that the film might take cues from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge wherein Shah Rukh and Kajol were seen romancing in the mustard fields. While Rohit may be inspired by DDLJ, the makers claim that the film will be ‘Rohit Shetty Ishtyle’!

Read on to find out who was the first choice for the role of Raj in DDLJ…

According to reports, the announcement of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge being pulled out from Maratha Mandir at the end of 1009 unprecedented weeks, resulted in a spontaneous outcry from the cinema going audience, as well as dedicated fans of the movie who expressed shock and disappointment. Ever since the news was out, the Maratha Mandir management was flooded with requests to reinstate the movie based on which they decided to immediately reconsider their decision. Given this, it has been mutually agreed upon by the theatre owner and the production house to continue the screening in the same 11:30 morning show - without breaking the uninterrupted run of the movie.

Even as Raj and Simran continue to enthrall the audience in the theatres, we enlist lesser known facts about the film that you may have not known even after watching the movie numerous times...

After a historic 1000 week run, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge made its final curtain call at the iconic Maratha Mandir today. After playing for 1009 uninterrupted weeks, the film's unprecedented performance has come to an end at the Maratha Mandir. The film played out in the 9:15 am show on February 19, for the last time.

Read on to know some lesser known facts about the film.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge released on October 19, 1995, just a couple of weeks before SRK's 30th birthday. The film was a huge hit with the audiences, as it told a very simple love story of Raj and Simran. The characters were essayed on the silver screen by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge released 19 years ago, and has been running at the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai for all this while. DDLJ was directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by Yash Raj Films.

Shah Rukh Khan played the charming loverboy Raj Malhotra in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Apparently Shah Rukh was not the first choice for the film. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge defined a huge milestone in SRK's career, but it was not actually meant to happen. The character of Raj was first offered to Saif Ali Khan who turned down the role after which Shah Rukh Khan came into the picture.

Shah Rukh Khan's portrayal of Raj Malhotra's loving ways and humorous mannerisms made him an instant favourite. However there is a reason why SRK's character was named Raj.Apparently Aditya Chopra had named Shah Rukh Khan's character Raj after the famous actor Raj Kapoor, while the title for this movie was suggested by Kirron Kher, wife of Anupam Kher, who plays SRK's father in the film.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge had many firsts. The film marked the debut of television actress Mandira Bedi. She played the character of Parmeet Sethi's sister. In the film Mandira falls for Shah Rukh Khan, who is actually in love with Kajol. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge also marked the onscreen debut of filmmaker, Karan Johar. His brief stint was to play SRK's friend in the movie.

The music of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was a huge hit. A lot of hard work went in creating those foot tapping numbers. 'Mere Khwaboon Mein Jo Aaye' was the first song to be recorded. And according to IMDB, Aditya Chopra rejected 24 verses by Anand Bakshi before giving a nod to the final one.
While another hit number, 'Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna' that featured Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol was actually made for some other movie. But as destiny had it, the song went on to be one of the biggest hits of DDLJ.

The huge success of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge also established Aditya Chopra as an ace director. To get the best out of his team of actors, Aditya tried out a few tricks too. In the end of the song, 'Rukh Jaa O Dil Deewane,' Shah Rukh Khan drops Kajol. However, Aditya Chopra had not informed Kajol about the same, so as to capture her genuine and candid reaction. Also Aditya Chopra had some trouble filming the sequence where Raj jokes with Simran about the previous night. The reason was that every time Shah Rukh Khan would open his shirt, Kajol would start laughing. The pictures of the lips on Shah Rukh's chest were drawn by Kajol.