Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Hindi Language) (DVD)
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Aditya Chopra - Original Language: Hindi - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal, Anupam Kher more
The story of Raj, a young man from London who takes a Eurorail holiday with his friends, whilst away he meets with Simran and eventually the pair fall in love. Now Raj must... more
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A review by rushda on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Hindi Language) (DVD) January 8th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Unmemorable
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Amazing acting, great songs, beautiful settings
Disadvantages:
The DVD is subtitled poorly, some unbelievable scenes (but this is bollywood)
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Introduction
Being a British-born Asian, I have been an avid fan of Indian films all my life. However, the one particular one that stands out most to me is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Very roughly "The brave-hearted will take the bride"), henceforth DDLJ. I highly recommend it to all those who are coming to Indian cinema for the first time and even those seasoned watchers who may have, for some reason, missed out or forgotten about this classic. Released over a decade ago, DDLJ is one of the most famous Bollywood films and is the longest-running film in cinemas in India (I believe it is still running!). It has won countless Filmfare awards (the most prestigious Indian film award) for best movie, best director, best acting, etc. Basically the whole works! It is the perfect mix of romance, comedy and suspense.
The story
The story is very simple and centres around a naive Indian girl living in Britain called Simran (Kajol) whose parents have arranged a marriage for her in India in a few months time. She has resigned herself to her fate even though she is very romantic because she is a dutiful daughter, but asks for her one last month of indepedence before she is taken to India permanently. In this month she goes on a Europe trip with friends and meets Raj (Shahrukh Khan), a little annoying but at the same time genuine and romantic man who is on the same organised Eurail tour. The two get separated from their friends and end up having to spend much of their holiday together - mainly arguing, but then when it is over they separate and realise they will never see each other again. Simran goes home and realises she is in love and tells her Mum (Fareda Jalal). Her Dad (Amrish Puri) overhears her and is terribly angry, forcing her to go to India with them the very next day to get married. Now Raj, who also works out he loves her comes to her house to discover she's gone to India. Not only does he have to go all the way over there and find her and admit he loves her but also make his way into her parents hearts without them knowing why he is there!
As far as plot goes, therefore, this is fairly typical for a Bollywood. However as most Indians who have seen the film will agree, the characters, songs and the overall magic of Raj and Simran's romance is second to none.
Characters
One of the best parts about this film I found is the acting which is on the whole very believable. Everyone has such distinct powerful characters that it is difficult not to feel for them. Raj (Shahrukh Khan) is perfect as the "hero" - romantic, funny, and has a very genuine heart. Even though he is very British the film makes a point to say that he is still very Indian deep down as is everyone in the film - still respects family members, places love as the most important thing, and so on. Simran (Kajol) is the perfect match. She is shy and sensible but like Raj, has a cheeky side too (though a little more subtle!). Her facial expressions are perfect - especially when she's upset, it's heartbreaking!
The father, "Bauji" (Amrish Puri) is devastatingly terrifying. He has a booming voice and eyes that genuinely give you chills when he is angry. For those who are interested the actor who plays him is the same man who plays the Indian villain in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom". He is brilliant! The others are very good too. Simran's geeky sister, her kind mother, Raj's sweet idealistic father who tells him to go achieve his dreams, and later comes to help out in India. And Simran's to-be husband who is so ridiculously villainous and doesn't even know it!
Songs
These are thesongs in the film. They all have fantastic melodies and mostly sung by the famous Lata Mangeshkar. Very nicely picturised as well. For those who like them I recommend getting the CD!
1. Ghar aaja pardesi 9/10 The first song in the film and done by a chorus rather than a soloist. It is a gorgeous, nostalgic song, and those who find themselves estranged from their home country will love it in particular. The lyrics are the best in the film and the song repeats again with a much sadder tune later on. Some of the lyrics are so sad: "Iss gaon ki anpar mitti par nahi sakti teri chitti" (This village's illiterate ground cannot even read your letter) showing the difference between parts of India and Britain and difficulty keeping in touch.
2. Mere Khwabon mein jo aaye 8/10 This is the first song in the film that introduces both Simran and Raj to the audience. Simran sings of her dreams of finding the strange that has been in her thoughts all her life. It is a very cute song, with reasonable picturisation consisting of her dancing around.
3. Rukja oh dil deewane 7/10 This is a hilarious song! This is in Europe where both SImran and Raj embarrass each other at a show. It is an upbeat number and quite catchy.
4. Zara sa joom loon mein 7/10 Similar to the above, this is a song that Simran sings when drunk for the first time. The playback singer is Asha Bhosle which is great as a drunk version of Lata Mangeshkar! Great catchy song.
5. Hogaya hai tujhko to pyaar sajana 9/10 This is an amazing song! It has a slow bit at the start and then picks up to a great melody. The picturisation is really sweet as they keep appearing and disappearing in their thoughts.
6. Tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam 10/10 This is undoubtedly the best song of the film and also the theme tune that repeats throughout. The song is done amazingly in bright yellow mustard fields (see DVD cover) and the music is beautiful.
7. Mehndi Lagake rakhna 9/10 This is also one of my favourite songs in the film - it is a bridal song that is sung by both Raj and Simran in a bridal party and no one knows they are singing it for each other. The picturisation and dancing is amazing - particularly when they start dancing together and no one realises.
Best bits
1. When the train is leaving and Simran is running on the platform to catch up and Raj is inside the train holding out his hand. This scene is the first meeting of Raj and Simran and is repeated later on in the film - very dramatic and sweet.
2. In the song "Ho gaya hai tujhko to Pyaar sajana" when Raj gradually walks off into the distance when they say bye, and they realise they will never see each other again. Heartbreaking!
3. The hugely dramatic and terrifying scene where Raj is slapped by Simran's father. This part still gives me shivers, it's one of the best bits.
4. The first meeting in India where Simran hears the famous Raj tune and for once it is not in her head...
And many more!!!
Conclusion
A very powerful love story with all the essential componants of a great Bollywood: songs, emotion, great picturisation, and values and characters that every Asian (and every romantic too!) can identify with.
A few notes of warning to all those coming to Indian films for the first time:
1. Remember that, whilst the stereotype of "dancing around trees" may be a little crude and not necessarily accurate, there are various things such as this that you will have to get over when you watch such a film. There WILL be a lot of spontaneous song and dance, a lot of exaggerated drama and emotion, and some very cheesy fight scenes. However, as an fan will know, these things are central to the experience and many tend to look upon them as the most important parts!
2. If you are watching this (or any Indian film) on DVD, chances are the subtitles will be absolutely APPALLING. As much as I love the industry, they do have a terrible knack for translating everything in the most sophisticated way they can, thereby getting many things wrong and being very unclear. As a general rule, try and ignore the subtitling in songs especially as the poetry just cannot be translated the way the film does it, and often it is not worth it if you have the general gist (from the choreography and picturisation).
Advantages: A real feel good film with excellent acting and charming songs Disadvantages: It's over 3 hours in length, you might get a sore rear end from sitting still!
DILWALE WHAT?
+++++++++++++++
"Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" means "The Bravehearted Will Take the Bride". Don't laugh at my title, it's actually the tagline used for advertising this film, I think the second bit was added as so many people went to see the film over and over again! By the way, it's a Bollywood film, i.e. it's in Hindi.
CAST/CREDITS
++++++++++++
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was released in 1995 and starred two of the darlings of ... ...Anand Bakshi, the music for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was by Jatin Lalit. Playback singers for the film were: Lata Mangeshkar, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Pamela Chopra, Manpreet Kaur, Asha Bhosle and Abhijeet.
The main songs which stayed in my mind long after the film finished were "Tuje dekha to yeh jana sanam," (which means "I knew as soon as I saw you, my love"), "Mehndi laga ke rakhna," (which means "colour your hands with mehndi" - mehndi ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A great movie all around!!!!!! Disadvantages: I REALLY don't think it has any
...fallen in love darling.'
Dilwale Dulhaniye Le Jayenge DDLJ is a classic movie released in 1995 by Yash Raj Films. Directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by by Yash Chopra this is a movie which will make you laugh and cry over and over as you won't be able to resist watching it again and again. It's about 3hrs long
Genre - Romantic
Staring - Shahrukh Khan (Raj) and Kajol (Simran). Amrish Puri (Simran's papa) and anupam Kher (Raj's papa) are the ... ...- Lalit
story writer - Aditya Chopra
Lyricist - Anand Bakshi
This is the story of two star crossed lovers who are destained to meet one day.LOL
Raj, a rich bachlor living in London with his father,in the lap of ultimate luxary, is a guy who just wants to fun with his mates. After failing from college and being congradulated by his father on achieving this Raj along with 2 of his mates heads for the train which will take him on a tour of Europe. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Romantic, Humoristic, very informative about Indian Culture, lots of songs, FANTASTIC dialogue! Disadvantages: Quite long: nearly 3hours!
Information:
Also known as: The Big-Hearted Will Win the Bride (USA) (informal English title)
Runtime: 190 minutes
Tagline: The Longest running film of Indian Cinema/ Come…fall in love. County: India
Sound Mix: Dolby SR
Language: Hindi
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Malay
Extras: No extras as such but a scene-by-scene selection along with a list of song selections
HERE BE SPOILERS SO DO NOT READ BEFORE WATCHING THE MOVIE
This Hindi ... ...musicals that I've ever seen! The story is brilliant and touching with lots n lots of slices of Indian Culture, and some great shots of both London and India. I can easily rate this one among my favorite all-time movies!!
The chemistry between the two lead actors, Shahrukh Khan and Kajol is extremely touching and intense. I think they did a completely marvelous job in depicting their relationship as it evolves from feuds to friendship and finally ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: wonderful hit film Disadvantages: very long
...Produced by Yash Chopra, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is directed by Aditya Chopra and music is by Jatin and Lalit. Film was released in 1995 and is about 3 hours long which is very long for Hindi film these days.
This excellent film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Raj, Kajol as Simran, Amrish Puri as Simran's father, Anupam Kher as Raj's father. Raj is a rich young man brought up in London who keeps failing his college course but his father doesnt care ... ...to keep failing academically. He likes to have a drink and enjoy life and in one encounter he cons the owner of a petrol station to get some drinks.
Simran is a young Indian girl also brought up in London but her parents are very traditional Indians. Her father runs a petrol station and he wants her to have arranged marriage to the son of his friend from back home in the Punjab. Simran wants to live life before she gets married and begs her father ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: excellent love story, performance, music, songs Disadvantages: nil
Huge hit film is this one. Superb screenplay is made to exhibit the love between two people (Shah Rukh and Kajol) and how they handle the situations tactfully. Shah Rukh is a NRI and Is not interested about love. He happens to be on a tour and meets Kajol on the way. They both interact and tease each other in many ways and put each other in trouble. Then they depart to their own countries. Only then they find that they had already fallen in love. ... ...love and sends him to India to propose his love and get her as the bride. When he arrives in India he proposes his love to Kajol. He also finds that in Kajol’s house they have planned for her marriage. So he tactfully enters her home like an ordinary person and tries to capture the family’s attention and get good name. The scenes which come along are very well screen played and Shah Rukh has done well to bring life to those scenes. At the end Kajol’s ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Plot: The story of Raj, a young man from London who takes a Eurorail holiday with his friends, whilst away he meets with Simran and eventually the pair fall in love. Now Raj must persuade Simran's parents that he is a worthy suitor...
DVD Description
The story of Raj, a young man from London who takes a Eurorail holiday with his friends, whilst away he meets with Simran and eventually the pair fall in love. Now Raj must persuade Simran's parents that he is a worthy suitor...
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): YASH RAJ FILMS; ASIAN GOLD
Release date: 07/01/2002
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: YRD 0086
Barcode: 5028157206026
Languages
Main Language: Hindi
Subtitle Language: English
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Listed on Ciao since : 21/10/2002
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