Bollywood Banter

DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE (1995, d. Aditya Chopra)

Probably the finest example of Bollywood romantic comedy musicals and all of their grandest traditions (or cliches depending on your viewpoint). Everything from boy-meets-girl to disapproving parents to songs in the rain are on display here. And while even in 1995 at the time of the film’s release this may have sounded old hat, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (’Braveheart Will Carry The Bride Away’) had its story told with such earnestness and enacted with such gusto, it seemed as though it was as fresh as ever - and still does more than ten years later, where it continues to play in Indian cinema halls.

‘DDLJ’ depicted NRI (non-resident Indian) life in a resoundingly positive way for the first time in Hindi films. Its lead romantic pair of Londoners Raj and Simran - played by young up-and-comers Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol - were shown as being completely and happily integrated into Western culture and society, but still deeply cherishing their Indian roots. Their ensuing love story sees them defy their elders not in a reckless way, but in a sly, intelligent fashion that maintains both their parents’ traditional values and their own modern ideals. This smart, progressive scripting catapulted Bollywood popularity overseas and made Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol the massive stars (and most beloved on-screen couple) they are today.

Field of dreams: Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in DDLJ

‘DDLJ’ is available worldwide as a two-disc DVD set from distributor Yash Raj Films. The transfer could be doing with more vibrant colours and a cleaner print, but is acceptable overall. A well-translated English subtitle track is included as well as plenty of interview and documentary footage on the second disc.