It's been nearly three decades since we fell in love with Raj and Simran in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), and more importantly since Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol proved that they were the best onscreen pairing in Bollywood. The actors had previously worked together on two films, Baazigar in 1993 andKaran Arjun in 1995, but it was their magic onscreen as Raj and Simran in Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut that made everyone swoon.
In the book, Aditya Chopra Relives… Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the filmmaker said of the characters of Raj and Simran, ” My ambition was to make Raj and Simran the kind of lovers that people would aspire to be. So that every guy would want a Simran in his life, and every girl would want a Raj.” We take a look to see how Shah Rukh and Kajol effortlessly became the ‘it’ onscreen pairing in Bollywood.
How DDLJ became one of Bollywood's greatest love stories
Written and directed by Aditya Chopra,DDLJ arrived like a breath of fresh air in Bollywood. The Hindi feature deftly balanced tradition, romance and modernity. Raj (Shah Rukh) and Simran (Kajol) have been brought up in England, but they don’t loose their Indian roots. And when the romance moves from Europe to India, the film drives this point home. Writer-director Aditya continually establishes how despite being different, Raj and Simran are made for each other.
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Shah Rukh and Kajol played all the variations of their characters with heart, showcasing their rebellion for love, but also having respect for their families. Their easy camaraderie during the flirty, comedic scenes and the deep vulnerability during the emotional scenes makes you believe wholeheartedly in their romance. Their chemistry during songs like Tujhe Dekha To, Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko, and Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main is additional proof of that.
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SRK-Kajol pairing is unmatched
In their careers, the actors have worked with other great stars and delivered big hits. Shah Rukh has found success with actresses like Juhi Chawla and Deepika Padukone, while Kajol has often worked with her real-life husband Ajay Devgn. But when the two come together onscreen, they've gone on to create more memorable characters together. After DDLJ, they went on to work on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001), My Name is Khan (2010), andDilwale (2015). The last film is their only stumble. The rest are often quoted and shared online as the ones to beat in onscreen pairings.
After Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Dilip Kumar-Madhubala, Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Kapoor, SRK and Kajol are constantly named as the most romantic pairing in Bollywood. Amongst the newer generation, no one has come close or worked together so frequently. In fact, films like Jab We Met (2007), Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), Dil Bechara (2020), and the queer romances Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) andShubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020) have all referenced the romance or held it up as the standard.
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DDLJ will complete 30 years in 2025 and it remains the longest running Hindi film, with daily shows still being screened at Maratha Mandir in Mumbai. Everything around us may change, but Shah Rukh and Kajol as Raj and Simran will remain evergreen. They don’t make onscreen couple like them anymore.