25 Years Of DDLJ: Rajnath Malhotra Was Shah Rukh's Full Name In The Film, Juhi Chawla Had A Cameo; 25 Unknown Facts

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge has since 25 years of its release attained a cult status in cinema. The Raj and Simran love saga has been the longest-running film in theatres which beat Sholay’s record in the cinemas. Aditya Chopra made a smashing debut with the film that in many parts of the world came to be associated with the identity and potential of Bollywood itself.

As the world soaks up on DDLJ nostalgia on the film’s 25^th anniversary here are 25 facts about the film that might baffle you a little and even bring you closer to the romance classic we all know and love it as.

Mohabbatein was supposed to be Aditya Chopra’s debut, not DDLJ

It is a little known fact that Aditya Chopra had written Mohabbatein before DDLJ. However, the filmmaker withheld that project and went forward with  Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge only to release Mohabattein in 2000 as his second film.

Shah Rukh Khan did not want to play Raj

If Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge panned out how it was originally planned, it would have been a love story between an American guy and an Indian girl. In fact, Tom Cruise was on the minds of the makers. The film was turned down by Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan and when SRK was approached he was apprehensive about playing a typical lover boy and thought he was too old but was persuaded by Aditya Chopra.

Juhi Chawla had a cameo in DDLJ

One of the most popular names of the time Juhi Chawla shot for a brief appearance in the iconic film. Her bit however never made it to the final cut.

Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna wasn’t intended for DDLJ

The song that has been on the wedding playlist of almost all Indian families for so many years now was composed for another film but eventually ended up in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

Anupam Kher used names of his own ancestors in the film

The scene after Raj fails in college where Anupam Kher is recounts the academic [non] qualifications of his ancestors, the actor is actually taking names of his uncles who did not so well academically.

Kirron Kher credited for suggesting the film’s title

In a first of kind credit, Anupam Kher’s wife Kiron Kher name appeared in the credit rolls for suggesting the title of the film.

Shah Rukh Khan’s character named after Raj Kapoor

SRK’s iconic character Raj from the film was named after legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor by Aditya Chopra.

Uday Chopra’s brief appearance

Yash Chopra’s younger son Uday was an assistant director on the film. He even has a nano second appearance in the movie where he can be seen passing by Kajol in the streets on a bicycle in the song ‘Ho gaya hai tujhko toh pyaar sajna’.

Karan Johar’s acting debut

Much before acting in Bombay Velvet or even becoming a filmmaker, Karan Johar was seen in a supporting role in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. The filmmaker played one of Shah Rukh’s two friends in the film.

Arjun Sablok, SRK’s other friend in the film

Apart from KJo, SRK’s other friend in the film was played filmmaker Arjun Sablok. He later went on to director Uday Chopra in Neil ‘n’ Nikki and Hrithik Roshan’s Na Tum Jano Na Hum.

Shah Rukh Khan agreed to star in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai while filming DDLJ

SRK agreed to star in Karan Johar’s debut directorial Kuch Kuch Hota Hai while they were filming DDLJ together. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai became a blockbuster when it released in 1998.

Clash with Madhuri Dixit’s Yaarana

DDLJ clashed with Mahuri Dixit’s much anticipated film Yaarna at the box office. Madhuri was one of the most popular actress of the time and was paired opposite Rishi Kapoor in the film. The movie however lost out to DDLJ and tanked at the box-office.

Impromptu bird feeding

Shah Rukh Khan feeding pigeons with Amrish Puri saying ‘aao, aao’ has to be one of the most memorable scenes in Bollywood history but you’d be surprised to know that it wasn’t a part of the script. The entire sequence was completely impromptu and lucky for us that the cameras were rolling.

Rajnath Malhotra

Shah Rukh’s character’s full name was Rajnath in the film but was called Raj by one and all. The full name was inspired by Rishi Kapoor’s character in Bobby while Raj was an ode to Raj Kapoor.

Anupam Kher’s character based on Yash Chopra

According to Aditya Chopra’s mother Pamela Chopra, Anupam Kher’s character who was Raj’s father was inspired from Yash Chopra himself. She believes the legendary filmmaker was exactly that kind of a father to his sons.

Shah Rukh Khan wanted action in the film

It was Shah Rukh’s bright idea to include a little action the climax of the film where as there was none in the plans of Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra.

Kajol was apprehensive about shooting in a towel

Kajol huffed and puffed after learning that she had to shoot the song Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye in a towel. Aditya told her it would be shot tastefully and the actress was definitely satisfied with the result.

DDLJ ran for 1009 weeks straight

After its release DDLJ set a world record for being the longest running Hindi film in cinemas. The film had an uninterrupted run on 1009 weeks in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theatre.

100 crore club

DDLJ became the second film in Bollywood to gross over Rs. 100 crores worldwide after Hum Aapke Hain Koun. The 1995 blockbuster had earned Rs. 102 crores globally at the box office.

The second highest grosser of the 90’s

Ranking just behind Hum Aapke Hain Koun, DDLJ is the second highest grosser of the 90’s Bollywood. In India alone the film had raked Rs. 89 crores at the box office.

Anupam Kher wanted Amrish Puri’s role Anupam Kher was turned down by

Actor Anupam Kher was turned down by Aditya Chopra when he complained about Amrish Puri getting a longer role and asked for that role.

Himani Shivpuri was supposed to be a part of the film’s climax

Actress Himani Shivpuri who was shown to have flirty track with Anupam Kher on the side was supposed to be in the climax scene. The actress’s husband passed away and she couldn’t do the scene.

SRK’s iconic leather jacket

SRK’s famous leather jacket in the film was supplied by Uday Chopra who had bought it in California for $400.

Why Chaudhary Baldev Singh leave India?

The question may have baffled DDLJ fans for years to think how Amrish Puri’s character who whole heartedly love his motherland come to stay in London? Well, the answer is a deleted scene of the movie which explains how he was offered a job in London but when he arrived the offer turned out to be fake and the guy who called him here robs him of all his belongings. This left him stranded in a foreign country.

Could you spot Aditya Chopra in the car with Raj and Simran?

When Raj and Simran take a car to Zurich, Aditya Chopra was lying in the backseat of the car traveling with them. The filmmaker wanted to closely supervise the scene.