SRK, Kajol relive ‘DDLJ’ moments as film celebrates 1,000 weeks
MUMBAI: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which made superstars out of Indian actors Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and Kajol, has completed 1000 weeks and SRK believes the film has lived so long because the story is relevant even today.
The two stars got together at Yash Raj Films studio to relive many moments of the cult romantic film, which was the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra.
“I think people should watch the film as it has realities which were true for that era and are true for this era as well. It says that it is cool to be Raj and Simran while maintaining our Indianness and culture. I think it is very relevant even today,” Shah Rukh said on Friday in a conversation with Kajol while late Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela looked on.
The actress, on her part, said her daughter did not like to watch the movie as she gets upset to see her mother cry on-screen.
Shah Rukh, who did most of the talking, said the film changed the lives of everyone part of it as they all are doing well in their respective fields be it Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Kajol, Anaita Shroff, Manish Malhotra or him.
Admiration
SRK, 49, revealed that his character’s name and the Mandolin in the film came from director Aditya’s admiration for Raj Kapoor.
“Mandolin is Aditya’s favourite instrument. It tells you a lot about the person,” Shah Rukh joked, but on a serious note added that Aditya later told him that Mandolin was the main instrument used in the music of Raj Kapoor’s films.
“I have kept it with me but still don’t know how to play it. It is very dear to me,” he said while pulling out the Mandolin from a bag.
Shah Rukh said he was a gobetween Aditya and his producer father Yash Chopra whenever they would disagree on a point.
He revealed that Yashji did not want Kajol with an alcohol bottle in her hand during a song but Aditya did not relent.
The actor said finally he told Aditya Chopra that it was his father’s suggestion.
“Aditya told me ‘ My father is absolutely right but I don’t know whether I am right or wrong.
“Let me make my own mistakes with ‘DDLJ’,” said the actor.
Unveiled
SRK and Kajol unveiled the book titled Aditya Chopra relives Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge on reclusive Chopra by Nasreen Munni Kabir, joking that it is as close as anyone can get to the director-producer.
Kajol, 40, appeared to have a fractured leg.
Recalling one of the famous scenes from the movie, when Shah Rukh dropped her during a dance, the actress said she had no clue that it was going to happen.
“You have a fractured leg otherwise I would have dropped you again,” Shah Rukh quipped.
When Kajol asked what type of father Shah Rukh would like to be- a strict father like the one Amrish Puri played in the film or the happy-go-lucky Anupam Kher, the actor said he would choose to be somewhere in the middle.
“I think I am a friendly father. I am a mix between Amrish ji and Anupam ji.
“The things that Amrish ji said came from his insecurities and not because he was conservative.
“I think fathers love their daughters more than they love their sons. So they are a little more insecure about them,” he said.
Kajol joked and said “that she loves both her daughter and son equally as her daughter would be watching the conversation later,” she said.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol Devgan later attended the grand premiere of the film at Maratha Mandir where the film has been running since its release on October 19, 1995.
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