As Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge turns 30, Anupam Kher recalls how the film reshaped Indian cinema’s emotions, grammar, and the image of the Indian father
Mumbai: It’s been 30 years since the release of ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ), the film that changed the face of Indian romance. Celebrating the milestone, veteran actor Anupam Kher, who played Shah Rukh Khan’s charmingly cool father, shared heartfelt memories of being part of a cinematic revolution.
In a recent interview, Kher said, “I always knew this film was special. DDLJ changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema ,that’s why it became a cult.” Recalling the first screening, he added, “When the film ended, there was a minute of stunned silence and then thunderous applause. We knew we had created something magical.”
Kher praised Aditya Chopra’s direction for breaking stereotypes: “For the first time, the hero waited for the father’s consent instead of eloping with the girl — that was revolutionary.”
Remembering his famous line to Shah Rukh “Hum toh Hindustan mein fail hue the, tumne London mein fail hokar dikhaya”, Kher called it one of his most loved moments.
He concluded, “DDLJ gave the ’90s its coolest father not strict, but a friend, a motivator. People still tell me they wish their dads were like that.
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