DDLJ

It started with ‘Rajshris’ Dulhan wahi jo Piya mann bhaye. Till then the titles were small & one could relate easily. ‘Pyasa’ we know what to expect. Say, ‘CID” it was an open book. So the short forms appeared, DWJPMB!

In 1995 a film appeared from the Yash Raj camp, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge that catapulted the hit pair of Shahrukh Khan & Kajol to stardom. They became household names overnight. It became DDLJ. As per the trend the lines are from ‘Chor machaye shor’ sung by Kishore Da.

It’s international acceptance & record of running in the cinema halls is unparalleled! Today’s article in the IE supplement ‘Eye’ takes us again back to those days when Shahrukh’s films were booked for weeks & the first day first show was the ultimate dream.

The story that begins in London & travels through the lush green fields in Punjab have nothing new. What was new is the treatment! The times of 90s needed a fresh lease that appeared in the form of RAJ! The Raj-Simran jodi was a hit & when he waits for the approval of the elders instead of eloping as Kajol suggests, was the teary point.

The predictable end when the strict father, Amrish Puri, softens & lets her go with Raj, had every one teary eyed. ‘Ja Simran jee le apni zindagi!” was a new thought. The parents do change their stand sometimes but to let go was the biggest surprise. Kajol looking at him incredulously is branded on our minds till today.

I personally feel no doubt both are good actors but they managed to reap gold. Given the chance they rose to the occasion rarely failing us.

Shubhra Gupta mulls on the thought if he is a creep or a stalker. Chasing a girl to the place of her wedding & just being around. Helping with the daily chores, singing ‘Mehndi laga ke rakhna..’ Subodh Bhave had taken a leaf out & worked at his beloved only to win her over. He wanted to kill her to get the money. But that is another story.

Indian girls not having an outlet where they can mingle with the eligible bachelors have to depend on the arranged marriages. If someone is actively showing interest, I feel it is a new feeling. Not something everyone comes across & hence more welcome. If the self esteem needs positive strokes, they can be achieved by such un hindered admiration. Getting friends to notice, having someone devotedly following you, it may be irritating but at times desirable!

The extremely hummable music played a major role with beautiful locales. Yash films has Switzerland normally but London & rest of Europe is also most welcome. It played a major role in it’s being an all time hit!