For the uninitiated, DDLJ stands for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. And since you’ve apparently not seen the movie yet, don't read this, go watch it at Maratha Mandir, Mumbai. 700+ weeks and the balcony was still full.
There's something really warm about visiting a heritage theater and watching a film that 2 generations swear by. Whether or not you like the film, the experience is worth the ride to Mumbai, non-A/C, uncomfortable seats, archaic sound system notwithstanding.
The first time I watched this film was after it was running for 6 months...yeah, those weren't the 'first day first show' days...and all the hype created took its toll. I couldn't see the big deal and, in fact, found it a bit too sappy. But, one thing stuck in my mind, "Wow, there is an alternative to eloping and shooting yourselves when your parents don't agree to your love. And what a dignified way too."
Sure there were films like Maine Pyaar Kiya where the protagonists made a more difficult choice but the families that were against the alliance make an unbelievable transformation. DDLJ certainly made a stronger statement in terms of the values it was trying to propagate.
While most of the sentimental parts made me roll my eyes all over again, the parts that I enjoyed all over again were the more macro bits. The transformation of an only-fun Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) into the all-loving and mega-respectful person doesn't seem unnatural at all. It seemed only natural for a guy who couldn't care less if he didn't want to, to bend backwards when he really wanted to. I could have totally done without Shah Rukh Khan's annoying laughter and stutter, but I cannot deny, albeit shyly and slyly, that I'd love to be looked at the way Raj looks at Simran (Kajol).
Interestingly enough, while the film is all about Raj's love for Simran, Simran is rather spineless. Very much like Raj, she can get her will if she really puts her mind to it. Only she has been raised the conservative way and has only so much gut or isn't raised to be confident about her decisions. Her respect for the older generation is natural yet it comes across as obligatory. Writer-director Aditya Chopra has his way of making the film about his lady protagonist but not really about her. How many people are completely mesmerized by the squealy Kajol? Ok, many. Now compare that to the people who can't stop sighing at the site of Raj. Do I really need a survey for this one?
Then comes the rogue of a father, Choudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri) who is not too far from reality. He takes pride in his family succumbing to and saluting his wishes. Having him think that it was his decision in the end is certainly a master stroke by the writer. That was the only way a man like Baldev Singh would have liked the story to end.
Mamma-darling, Lajjo (Fareeda Jalal), is strong yet unsure. But her fear respect for her husband precedes everything else in her priorities or the priorities as she sees for her daughters. Remarkably enough, Chutki (Pooja Ruparel) is nothing like her mother or sister. I can see her getting away with more than what Simran was ever "allowed". An insight into the ways of a second child is evident here.
My complaint as I have against all films where the lead lady is being married off to someone else stands true here too. This poor chap is painted black the moment his name is mentioned in the film. What chance does he have? The audience doesn't once see him as a viable choice for their heroine.
There are tons and tons of micro events that were, and remain, extremely annoying. Some of the snore-worthy dialogues take away a lot from the charm of the characters. There are a couple of irritating characters used as comic relief just to help lengthen the runtime.
Nevertheless, the smell of a single screen theater, the entirely different crowd around you, the feeling of being a part of history, the entire ambience, is so abstract that it has to be experienced. Go fall in love with the essence of "Bollywood".
Comments (22)
It's nice to see a different kind of a review... I mean, reviewing something decades old... Nice idea :) Irritating characters presented for comic relief are the worst parts of any movie, let alone DDLJ... The last paragraph is beautifully written :) Kudos!!!
posted 1 year, 2 months agoOne of the best outcomes of the multiplex-producers strike is we are seeing all the old-is-gold films back at the single screens. This is what is happening in Hyderabad. In fact its been raining SRK films here. It began with DDLJ at Ramakrishna Glitterati 35mm AC dts I went on the first day night show. The balcony was just 30 people strong, but the upper stall and lower stalls were full. The best part was there was heavy whistling and cheering by the masses for all the classic DDLJ stills, shots, songs, dialogues etc. It is sad how our film makers today are not in tune with what the masses (read the majority) want.
posted 1 year, 2 months agoI suspect the crowd in the balcony will disappear when the strike ends. Two generations, huh? I am getting old, I guess.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoaaah...age, yeah it's catching up :)
posted 1 year, 1 month agoNice review. But I do not agree with one point. That of irritating characters presented for comic relief. Those characters in the movie were essential to the story telling of the movie, and there is not a single character that you do not remember about after watching the movie. Other than this, I think the review does justice to the movie. I also found some really great reviews and synopses about the movie at " target="_blank">http://www.gomolo.in/Movie/Movie.aspx?mid=7167 Read these and have fun.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoI loved this movie and the little bits you pointed out... and most of all, favourite grouse - painting the other man black. why cant a hero be a hero without the other guy being a villain?
posted 1 year, 1 month agoThank you ji! The worst was in Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke hai Kaun.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoI know. And regional and world cinema. Theaters in Pune are playing French films!
posted 1 year, 1 month agoWell, the buaji - she was there as mere comic relief, for one.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoi know! 'Jab we met' is another example. The other guy just doesn't stand a chance. Interestingly, 'Singh is Kinng' had Ranveer Shorey playing a stronger character. But, the rest of the movie doesn't keep up.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoBut aren't such characters found in real life... after all it was the occasion of an Indian marriage where you can find all types
posted 1 year, 1 month agoAnyway, this is my favorite movie of all time and thus you can understand the seemingly outburst.
posted 1 year, 1 month agoI too caught this one yesterday, and fell in love with it... all over again. More than its romance, family values and all, I believe its so well written overall that You cant stop admiring Aditya Chopra for the entire conceit. And also wondering what happened to him in his next 2 films! And honestly enough, I loved Kajol's performance as Simran much more than that by SRK. (And I say this being an SRK fan!) It really was a great experience none-the-less. :)
posted 1 year, 1 month agoDDLJ definitely one of the FINEST made movies I've seen. It's complete.
posted 10 months, 1 week agoDDLJ is the one movie I have seen most... in theater. I have seen it 12 times in theater. I normally will go out of the theatre, once the photo comes in hand of Amrish Puri...
Kajol, gave a stupendous performance, and i loved her appearance in the film. I saw the film, mainly.. or shall i say... only because of her.. this many times.
Apart from that cute factor and the reminiscence or nostalgia factor of the film or the heroines.. the indianess of the film... is stupendous.. and ever lasting...
Let the film run for another 5 years.. lets say another decade...
I would love to be at Maratha Mandir Noon Show watching DDLJ in the winter of 2017....
posted 10 months, 1 week agohune ddlj film life ka sabse aacha film laga shayad aisha film phir dekhne ko mile ki nahi uske ak gane koyal kuke huk utha ke... ghar aa ga pardesi tera desh bulay re so bityfull
posted 7 months, 2 weeks agoMeetu, I check your review mainly for the Parental Guidance and your reviews are pretty good. But I must say that either you are too modern or have no family values at all!!For PAA, Your parental Guidance says none in Language except the word Bastard. Did you go out when there was talk about Sperm donation, Condom Use etc. and sexual content, you say NONE when there is a real brief love making scene in the song Muddi Muddi. What nonsense!! I will never ever read your reviews and post this on all your reviews so that everyone is aware. I took my 10 and 7 yr old daughters to see Paa based on your Parental Guidance and I m still shocked and embarassed to show them a film about Sex education!!
posted 7 months, 2 weeks agoHi Meetu, I had been to Maratha Mandir a couple of years ago with a friend. The movie ticket cost some 13 bucks and it was a carnival atmosphere out there. During songs, a cop would man the aisles in the stall area because people would come out and dance!!!
posted 7 months, 2 weeks agoI remember seeing DDLJ as a teenager and "falling in love" with the tacky dialogues of the movie :P .. But now if i hve to watch this movie I would be dead before I enter the movie hall..
posted 4 months, 3 weeks agoI completely agree with wht u said abt kajol's character being completely spineless and yielding .. And the situation has not changed much in our society where girls are still expected to be docile.
And now this propoganda is used by those retarded Hindi tv serials.
I wish Indians would grow up and come out of the spell of such movies !!!
Another thing tht you have correctly pointed out is the unnecessary intro of buaji type loud characters .. But well thts k-Jo land product and everyone is supposed to share the screen space whether the script demands it or not :P
by the way ...keep writing more about such old movies too..I love to read ur reviews :) they r succinct ..just perfect!!
Thanks Ruchita! But this is more like an essay, that is all you can do with old films. You can't really review a film like this so many years after release.
posted 4 months, 3 weeks agoI recently came to mumbai and instead of going to famous tourist spots like Nariman Point, Marine Lines, Colaba etc my wife actually wanted to see this theater "Maratha Mandir" where DDLJ was running from such a long long time.....
posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago@Navin isn't it a brilliant experience and worth missing out on the 'tourist spots.' Though Marine Drive is one of my favorite places in Mumbai :)
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