Writer/Director: Aditya Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Amrish Puri
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Bollywood pour their soul into movies like Kajol. Ever since her stardom in the 1990’s, Kajol has proven to be one of the best actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s college students, lower class housekeepers or blind lovers, Kajol has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Kajol’s greatest strength as an actress is her abilities to create powerful feminist characters through her larger than life presence. An actress that has built a powerful legacy in India, Kajol has become an inspiring icon in Bollywood Cinema. Through her ability to pour her heart and soul into every role, Kajol has become an iconic actress whose films give audiences a goal. She has always been one of those rare actresses that isn’t afraid of taking on risky roles. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Kajol has scarcely lost her interest making engaging entertainment. Several years after her rise to stardom, Kajol has become an icon whose movies are highly regarded as classics in India. Throughout her long-lasting career, Kajol has made many movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Kajol and admire all the films he made throughout his career. However, my personal favourite film is “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”. Ever since its release in 1995, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as an iconic classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and amazing acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood films ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Kajol, who embodies a woman falling in love in a doomed romance. Ultimately, the film delivers a powerful message about marriage that would definitely resonate with everyone. Despite its focus upon an Indian couple falling in love, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would be able to relate to. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about romance, there are many reasons why “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is a movie that is worth watching.
“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” tells the story of an Indian couple falling in love with a price to pay. Kajol depicts Simran, a young woman that seeks to find love. Simran is the daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri), an irritable man with strong values. Singh’s strict rules prevent his daughter from finding love in her life. However, Simran’s life changes when she falls in love with Raj (Shah Rukh Khan). A mischievous boy that’s fond of breaking rules, Raj teaches Simran to look at the world from a positive point-of-view. It doesn’t take very long before the pair fall madly in love. Simran plans to elope with Raj but her parent’s expectations threaten to destroy her dreams forever. Singh’s expectations for his daughter clash with Raj’s mischievous behaviour. As the pair of lovers endure a dilemma, they question if it’s possible to any longer pursue a romantic relationship in India.
Aditya Chopra is a newcomer toward stories of romance. Before he directed “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, Chopra had Bebe made a movie in the romance genre before. It was Chopra’s first attempt to capture the lives of lovers that are torn apart by barriers but he succeeded extremely. Through stunning cinematography, Chopra captures the bond between a pair of star-crossed lovers that search for prosperity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Chopra’s decisions to shoot the movie in locations across Europe pays off immensely. Chopra effectively uses European locations to capture the bonds between lovers embarking on a vacation. For instance, the locations of Europe elevate the Tujhe Dekha Toh musical scene. During this unforgettable scene, Raj and Simran bond together by spending time in Europe. Through authentic European locales, Chopra creates a realistic romance between a couple which audiences can easily relate to. European locations are complicated to use in Bollywood movies. Most Indian films are shot in Indian locales. Nevertheless, it works very well in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Chopra captures the strong bonds between a pair of lovers that are torn apart by situations which are challenging.
Another admirable aspect of “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” worth discussing is production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Chopra deftly stages memorable musical sequences that showcase powerful bonds between lovers. In Bollywood, most films are driven by meaningless musical sequences. Musical sequences often serve as nothing more than a distraction from the story. Fortunately, however, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” avoids these pitfalls. Chopra deftly uses dance choreography to create musical sequences that are meaningful. For instance, the musical sequences elevate the “Mehndi Laga Key Rakhna” scene. During this strong scene, Raj and Simran bond together dancing at a wedding. Through these strong musical sequences, Chopra creates powerful bonds between lovers audiences can easily identify with. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. Jatin-Lalit’s music is integral to the success of the movie. The music gives the film a romantic atmosphere capturing the burden that lovers bear. Through phenomenal production design, Chopra captures strong bonds between lovers that shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is a classic Indian film which is compelling. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses symbolism which captures the barriers that tear a pair of lovers apart. Chopra’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture the bonds between lovers through symbolism. Throughout the film, the train becomes a powerful symbol of the bond between a pair of lovers. The train becomes a place where Raj and Simran bond together by beginning romantic relationship. For instance, symbolism of the train enhances the meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Raj and Simran meet for the first time on a train where they begin their romantic relationship. It’s hard to not appreciate the strong symbolism of the train that showcases the strong bond of lovers. Symbolism is a complicated technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Swades” suggested, symbolism is suited to Indian movies about homelands. Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” suggested symbolism is suited for movies about intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures the bonds between lovers which come with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Kajol delivers one of her best performances as Simran. Before she came in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, Kajol had never appeared in an Indian film before. It marked the actress’ first major breakthrough role in a movie but she pulled it off really well. It isn’t easy to portray the personality of an Indian woman falling madly in love, but she succeeded tremendously. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actress the chance to showcase natural charisma as an icon of Indian Cinema. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, affection and resentments of a woman whose strong romantic relationship is destined to face tragedy. It’s an excellent performance from one of the greatest actresses working in Bollywood today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as a commemorated man with charisma that faces a dilemma when he falls in love with a woman in India. Khan has always excelled at playing characters that are madly in love, and “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to capitalize on his natural charisma. As Raj, Shah Rukh Khan effectively uses his body language to capture a man in love. Whether he’s cheerfully flirting with Simran on a train or trapped in a dilemma, Khan successfully uses his body language to capture a man in love. It’s a commemorated performance that launched the prosperous career of one of the greatest actors that’s currently working in Bollywood today.
Lastly, the final standout in the cast is Amrish Puri. As Simran’s strict father, he brings strong authority to the movie.
Finally, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is a film that will blow everyone away through its depiction of romance in India today. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would be able to relate to. The film discusses universal themes including identity, romance and social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian in identity to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message that would strike a chord with everyone that has fallen in love with a childhood crush at an early age. Therefore, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Kajol will definitely appreciate “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A fantastic Indian masterpiece, it celebrates a terrific actress that has built a legacy in Bollywood that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about star-crossed lovers from differing social backgrounds forming romantic relationships that are long-lasting, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built an enduring legacy gaining a huge fan following through her abilities to portray relatable characters that are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without any doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 