Aditya Chopra's directorial debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is celebrating its silver jubilee today as the film completes 25 yearss. The film which was released in 1995 is the longest-running Indian film in theatres. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles, DDLJ as it's popularly called is considered as a cult classic.
Shahrukh Khan established a reputation of the "King of Romance" after it. Speaking about his role, Khan said, "I always felt I was not cut out to play any romantic type of character."
He further added, "Raj was unlike anything I had done. Before DDLJ, there were films like Darr, Baazigar, Anjaam, in which I had portrayed negative characters. Also, I always felt that I wasn`t cut out to play any romantic type of character. So, when I was presented with the opportunity by Adi and Yash Ji of essaying the role, I was excited to work with him but had no idea how to go about it and also if I would be able to do it well."
Khan also said that playing the character of Raj in the film had made him feel all "fuzzy" and "warm".
"I have to admit, for someone who does not like mushy, romantic films, the scenes with Kajol and I did make me feel all fuzzy and warm. There, I said it! I do not change the radio channel when a DDLJ song comes on. I can never get sick of them. They bring back memories of a film that shaped my path forward in an unforgettable way," he said.
Crediting DDLJ for catapulting him to superstardom, the actor said, "I think DDLJ helped me cement my place and brought me fame in a way that I did not think it would. We were all living in the moment, trying to make the best film we could. There are so many reasons attributed to its success, but I do not think anyone specific thing can explain the phenomenon it has become. I think all the success is to be credited to the pure heart with which the film was made by Adi, Yashji, and the entire cast and crew--and my non-existent 'good looks'."
