When Bollywood director and producer Aditya Chopra set out to make his first film in 1995, he didn’t intend it to be a Hindi film. In fact, he wanted Tom Cruise in it. But, as fate would have it, the film that came to be what we now know as Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge was one of the most successful movies ever to come out of Bollywood.
On October 20, DDLJ, as it is popularly referred to, will mark 20 years since its release. While much has been written about the film, its stars and crew, here are 10 things, you might not know about it:
1. It was supposed to be an English film, with Tom Cruise.
Aditya Chopra wanted to make DDLJ as an English-language film, with Tom Cruise and Kajol. But he didn’t mean it to be his debut film. “I had hoped the film would happen after I had made some Hindi films and become a successful director,” he says in the book. “I decided to pitch the Hindi version to dad [the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra] and if he liked the story outline, he could make a film. But while I was pitching the second half I hit upon the idea where the boy would win over the father rather than the couple needing to rebel or elope. At that moment I knew his would be the first film I would direct.”
2. Aditya Chopra never went to film school.
The director began assisting his father when he was 17. “Film direction is like painting,” he says. “You can teach the craft but can you teach someone to stand out? Could I have benefitted from film school? It’s possible. But I never felt the need. Learning on the job seemed better to me. There is no greater film school than practical experience.”
3. Kirron Kher came up with the title.
It was the actress, the wife of Anupam Kher (who plays the hero’s liberal dad), who suggested the film’s title. The line is from the song Le Jayenge Le Jayenge off the 1974 film Chor Machaye Shor. “When I heard [Kirron Kher] say it, I thought it was an excellent idea because it matched the intention of the film. It was just so bang-on,” says Chopra.
4. The iconic ‘palat’ scene is from a Clint Eastwood film.
In the film, Simran and Raj are coming towards the end of their European tour. As Kajol’s character walks away toward another train, Shah Rukh’s Raj whispers under his breath: “Palat” (turn), believing that if she likes him she would turn back to look at him. She does, of course.
The scene is inspired by Clint Eastwood’s 1993 film In the Line of Fire. “There’s a moment when Eastwood sees his love interest walk away and says to himself “turn”, or something to that effect. It got stuck in my head,” recalls Chopra.
5. Saroj Khan and Aditya Chopra fought about Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna.
“I did not want Simran to get up from where she is sitting until a certain point in the song,” Chopra says. “Saroji was very upset. She did not understand why. The real problem was that I was very clear and wanted no change. She was too senior and I not wish to fight with her on the set. I was pleased when things finally worked out between us.”
6. Aditya Chopra did not like ‘Tujhe Dekha To’ picturisation.
Chopra says he did not want to song to be like another Yash Chopra song, with the Alps in the background. The song would become the film’s most famous one. “I changed my initial concept and ended up doing precisely what I did not want to do. I don’t even remember why that happened,” he says.
7. Aditya Chopra’s favourite scene is the mother-daughter one.
In an emotional scene in DDLJ, Laajo explains to her daughter Simran the harsh realities for women in the Indian context, telling her of the sacrifices she had to make because she’s a woman. It was meant to spur debate about mindsets and how they needed to change, says Chopra.
8. Saif Ali Khan was almost signed as Raj.
He was always first choice for DDLJ but Shah Rukh Khan, who wanted to do more action roles at that point in his career, took a while to decide. Chopra then considered an alternative and almost signed Saif Ali Khan. But after a bit of waiting around Shah Rukh finally agreed.
9. Karan Johar, Farah Khan and Manish Malhotra.
If Khan and Kajol become superstars after DDLJ and one of Bollywood’s most-loved pair, the film also gave a platform to many names who are now masters in their fields: Karan Johar is now a top director and producer, Farah Khan became one of the top choreographers and now a director, and Manish Malhotra is household name in costume designing and fashion.
10. Aditya Chopra prefers to call DDLJ ‘Dilwale’.
“For me it’s like a pet name that someone else has give your child. I don’t mind it or feel offended by it. It’s just that I’ve always referred to the film as Dilwale, and I think I’ll continue to do so.”
Excerpts from the book Aditya Chopra relives… Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, published by Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd.
