Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: A Film That Epitomized Fairy-Tale Love Stories

Thousands of hearts pounded a deep sigh of relief when the angry father let loose Simran’s hand and said “Jaa Simran Jaa,  Jee le apni zindagi”! It was love that triumphed that day, breaking away all the impediments in the path. Tugging the heartstrings of millions of love-birds till date is the beguiling tune that Raj played for Simran while confessing his love! Today, as this cult flick completes 1,000 weeks of successful running in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejayenge continues to be that fairy-tale love story that every young heart dreams to be a part of!

Nineteen years ago when Aditya Chopra made his directorial debut with DDLJ, who would have imagined that it was history in the making. It was a simple love story of a Punjabi boy Raj and an NRI girl Simran, who fell in love during a European holiday. But winning over the girl’s conservative family is the exam that the hero needs to pass in order to take his dulhaniya with him. It was the relentless effort of Raj that not only won him his bride but also took over the hearts of the entire nation.

The ‘ultimate’ saga of love 

Such was the unfathomable impact that this love story had on the young hearts that every little girl sought out finds the Raj of her love story. Shahrukh and Kajol became the best onscreen couple of Bollywood. DDLJ left an imperishable mark on the audience as it was the story of each and every household. A strict but loving father, an over-dramatic mother, a fun-loving boy and a simple yet aspiring girl – DDLJ had all the ingredients of a typical masala potboiler.

Today the film has broken all the records as the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema. Nineteen years past the release, Maratha Mandir still flags the house-full sign for DDLJ. Time has passed, yet the magic of love that this film spread across still secures a place in the heart of every individual. Deep inside, every Simran is waiting for her Raj and every Raj is trying to find his Simran! The film that epitomized the feeling of love back in 1995, still brings out tears in the eyes of the viewers. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is the ultimate saga of love that will be carried on to the generations ahead. Period.