Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) celebrated 1000 weeks of being continuously shown on December 12, 2014, making it the longest-running Indian film in history. DDLJ explores the world of two kinds of Indian families living as NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) in London. One family values love and individualism above all; the other values honor and family tradition. DDLJ examines long-held Indian values in light of an India that is changing rapidly and what it means to retain your Indian identity abroad. DDLJ began a trend of movies featuring diaspora storelines. Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri) owns a successful gas station/convenience store in London. He lives with his wife, Lajjo (Farida Jalal), and daughters, Simran (Kajol) and youngest Chutki. Baldev is a loving father, but some of his traditional values will cause heartache for the women of his family. After twenty years, he still feels like an outsider in London and longs to return to the mustard fields of Punjab. Also proud of his Indian heritage, Dharamvir Malhotra (Anupam Kher) a wealthy businessman living with his only son Raj (Shah Rukh Khan). After his wife’s death, Malhotra has raised Raj in a permissive, broad minded way; more as a best friend then a son.

Simran has been a perfect daughter to Baldev and Lajjo. Sweet, innocent, and devout; she has always obeyed her father. But Simran is starting to dream of her future husband. This comes to an abrupt end when Baldev announces that Simran has been promised to his childhood friend’s son, Kuljeet, whom she has never met. Realizing she will soon leave behind the only life she has known, Simran prevails on Baldev to let her join her friends on a month’s trip through Europe. Trusting that she will come back unchanged, Baldev agrees. Raj, on the other hand, has failed college. His father is not bothered by this, as Malhotra looks forward to Raj joining him in business. But Raj wants to see Europe before he settles down, so Malhotra agrees to let him go. As luck would have it, both Raj and Simran find themselves running late for the train and wind up in a compartment by themselves. Raj is much too forward in his behavior and Simran takes an instant dislike to him. Raj, on the other hand, now can’t resist the temptation to tease her without mercy. A few days later, they miss the train again and Raj takes on the responsibility of getting Simran back to her friends. Love soon blossoms between these opposites, but many obstacles are on the horizon: Simran’s engagement, Baldev’s old-fashioned values and Raj’s sense of honor. And, oh yes, it seems Raj has crossed paths with Baldev in the past. What effect will this have on their future relationship? After intermission, the scene transitions to Beldev’s yellow mustard fields and his ancestral home in the Punjab, as the family makes preparations for Simran’s wedding to Kuljeet. After their performance in DDLJ, Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan became one of the most loved couples in Hindi film history. Kajol’s Simran was serious, fresh, vibrant, innocent and feisty; willing to give up her dreams to please her father as good Indian girls do. Shah Rukh as Raj was, in turn both, obnoxious and endearing, thinking he can charm his way in and out of any situation. During the course of the movie, he taps into something deep in his character that brings about maturity. Memorable performances of other cast members include: Amrish Puri, as Baldev Singh, a moral and loving man, blinded to the pain of the women in his family. Nobody does furious like Amrish Puri. Farida Jalal, as Simran’s mom Lajjo, filled with compassion for her daughter who is destined to sacrifice her desires at the alter of family tradition. Anupam Kher, as Malhotra, has a genuinely believable, sweet, and tender relationship with Raj. DDLJ was shot on locations in London, Switzerland, and India. It’s soundtrack composed by Jatin Lalit, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, became the best selling soundtrack of 1995. “Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna“, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan, is still played at weddings today. DDLJ set a record at the time, for the most Filmfare awards won by a single film, with ten awards,* and the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, presented to producer, Yash Chopra.

*Filmfare Awards - Best Film (Yash Chopra), Best Director (Aditya Chopra),
 Best Actor (Shah Rukh Khan), Best Actress (Kajol), Best Supporting Actress
(Farida Jalal), Best Performance in a Comic Role (Anupam Kher), Best Lyricist
(Anand Bakshi - "Tujhe Dekha To"), Best Screenplay (Aditya Chopra), Best Dialogue
(Aditya Chopra, Javed Siddiqui), Best Male Playback Singer (Udit Narayan -
"Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna")

DDLJ’s Record Run: http://bollyspice.com/98220/dilwale-dulhania-le-jayenge-made-final-curtain-call-today-1009-weeks