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. Since her stardom in the 1990’s, Kajol has proven to be one of the best actresses in the film industry. Whether it’s students, lower class housekeepers or blind lovers, Kajol has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Kajol’s strength as an actress is her abilities to portray powerful feminist characters through her larger than life presence. An actress that has a strong legacy in India, Kajol has become an 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 which has the abilities to portray characters in a wide range of genres. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Kajol has scarcely lost her interest making engaging entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, Kajol has made many movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Kajol and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” truly stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 1995, Aditya Chopra’s movie provided an engaging portrait of love. Packed with bold musical numbers, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest Bollywood romantic films of all time. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Kajol, who embodies a woman seeking romantic relationships with soul. Ultimately, what makes “DDLJ” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1990’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. A captivating Bollywood romantic classic, there are many reasons why “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is worth watching.
“Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” tells a story of an Indian couple that falls in love with a price to pay. Kajol depicts Simran, a young woman that seeks to find love. Simran is the young daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri), an irritable man that has bold values. Singh’s strict adherence toward rule prevent his daughter from finding love in her life. However, Simran’s life forever changes when she falls in love with Raj (Shah Rukh Khan). A mischievous boy that finds joy with breaking rules, Raj motivates Simran to look at the world from a positive point-of-view. It doesn’t take long before the pair fall madly in love. Simran plans to elope with Raj but her parent’s expectations soon threaten to destroy her dream forever. Singh’s extreme expectations for his daughter conflict with Raj’s mischievous behaviour. As the pair of lovers face 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 had directed “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge”, Chopra had seldom 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 immensely. Through bold cinematography, Chopra captures the bond between a pair of star-crossed lovers which search for prosperity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Chopra’s choice to shoot the film in locations across Europe pays off immensely. Chopra effectively uses European locations to capture strong bonds among two lovers embarking on vacations. For instance, the locations of Europe elevate the Tujhe Dekha Toh musical scene. During this engaging scene, Raj and Simran bond together through spending s time in Europe. Through using 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 tremendously in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Chopra captures the strong bonds between a pair of lovers that are torn apart by tragic situations which are challenging.
Another aspect of “Dilwale Dulhania Ley 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 movies are driven with meaningless musical sequences. Musical sequences are often nothing more than a distraction from story. Thankfully, however, “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” avoids the pitfalls. Chopra expertly uses choreography to craft music sequences that are engaging. For instance, the musical sequences elevate the “Mehndi Laga Key Rakhna” song. During this scene, Raj and Simran bond together by dancing at a wedding. Through the musical sequences, Chopra creates powerful bonds between lovers which audiences can easily identify with. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. Jatin-Lalit’s music is essential to the success of the movie. The music gives the film a romantic atmosphere capturing a painful burden which lovers bear. Through commemorated production design, Chopra captures strong bonds between lovers that shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” is a classic Bollywood film which is compelling. The film is well-written, and expertly uses symbolism that captures the barriers which tear a pair of lovers apart. Chopra’s best strength as a screenwriter is abilities to capture the bonds among lovers through the use of symbolism. Throughout the movie, 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 a relationship. For instance, the symbolism of the train elevates the train 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 which showcases the strong bond of lovers. Symbolism is a complex technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Swades” suggested, symbolism is suited to Bollywood movies about homelands. Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” demonstrated that symbolism is suited for movies about disabilities. Nevertheless, it works expertly in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures lovers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kajol delivers one of her best performances as Simran. Before making “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge”, Kajol had never starred in an Indian film before. It marked her first major role in a film but she pulled it off extremely well. It isn’t easy to portray the personality of an Indian woman madly in love, but she succeeded. It’s a role that gave the actress the chance to showcase natural charisma as an icon of Indian Cinema. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, affection and resentments of a woman whose strong romantic relationship is destined to endure tragedy. It’s an excellent performance from one of the best actresses that’s working in Bollywood today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as a 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 in love, and “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” demonstrated his strength as an actor. It’s an iconic role that gave the actor the opportunity to capitalize on his natural charisma. As Raj, Shah Rukh Khan expertly uses his body language to capture a man in love. Whether he’s flirting with Simran on a train or trapped in a tense dilemma, Khan expertly uses his body language to capture a man in love. It’s a fantastic performance that launched the big career of one of the greatest actors that’s currently working in Bollywood today.
Lastly, the final standout is Amrish Puri. As Simran’s strict father, he brings 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 themes everyone would be able to relate to. The film discusses universal themes such as identity, romance and social class that resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be from India to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message that would strike a chord with everyone that has fallen in love with a crush at an early age. Therefore, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone would adore.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about star-crossed lovers coming from differing social backgrounds forming romantic relationships that are long-lasting, it’s a riveting reminder of an Indian actress that has established an enduring legacy gaining a big fan following through her abilities to portray fascinating characters that are compelling in engaging movies that are definitely without any doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 