SRK, Kajol's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' joins Academy's favourite romances
Mumbai, April 11
One of Bollywood's most cherished on-screen pair, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' has found a place in The Academy's list of favourite romantic films.
In a social media post, The Academy shared a list of favourites, showing DDLJ joining the likes of 'You, Me & Tuscany', 'The Holiday', and 'Eat Pray Love'.
The nod quickly caught the attention of none other than Kajol, who posted a brief yet playful response to it.
"I vote for DDLJ," Kajol wrote.
Directed by Aditya Chopra, 'DDLJ' was released in 1995 and went on to become one of India's biggest hits.
The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles.
The story revolves around Raj and Simran, two characters who meet and fall in love during a trip to Europe. However, there are cultural and familial barriers to their relationship, leading to a classic tale of love, tradition, and the importance of family values.
SRK and Kajol were recently present in London to unveil a bronze statue of their legendary characters.
The bronze statue becomes the first-ever Indian film to be honoured with a statue in Leicester Square, London and joins iconic characters from historic films, including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin' in the Rain, as well as heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman.
The bronze statue depicted Shah Rukh and Kajol in a signature pose from the film. And SRK-Kajol re-created that pose during the event.
Speaking at the launch, Shah Rukh Khan said, "DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why DDLJ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now! Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released."
Kajol, reflecting on what this honour means to her, said, "It's incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history - a story that has truly travelled across generations."
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I'm happy for the recognition, I do feel we need to celebrate newer, more progressive love stories too. DDLJ is iconic, but its "persuade the father" trope feels a bit dated now. Still, a huge achievement for the team!
My parents had their first date watching this film, and I grew up on it. The fact that it's getting this honour 30 years later proves some stories are truly timeless. "Ja Simran, jee le apni zindagi" still gives me chills!
As someone who discovered Bollywood through this film, it's wonderful to see it get this platform. It beautifully blended Indian family values with a universal love story. The Academy's list just got a lot more interesting!
The statue in Leicester Square is a massive deal! Our films and heroes standing next to Batman and Harry Potter? That's cultural power. SRK and Kajol's chemistry was pure magic. This news made my day.
Honestly, it's about time. This film ran in Maratha Mandir for decades! It defined romance for millions of Indians. The Academy nod is nice, but we didn't need validation. We knew its worth already. Bade bade deshon mein...
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