#23YearsOfDDLJ: DDLJ dekha to yeh jaana, reader!
Not watching 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge' is a cardinal sin (no kidding). The love story of Shah Rukh Khan's Raj and Kajol's Simran is epic in all ways there is. It was Aditya Chopra who gave 90s kids the first taste of love, and its magic hasn't faded since. But was DDLJ just about love? No. Definitely not. Let us tell you why.
Parents dislike your affair? Dying and eloping aren't only options
"Mujhe yahan se le chalo Raj," said Simran in a mustard field, because she knew her father Balraj. In 'Love Story' style, the duo could have eloped, but the confident Raj took the other way. He befriended his lover's fiance, worked at her wedding, flirted with her aunt, spoke about ethics with her mother, hoping they would accept him. So if you think your girlfriend's parents won't accept you, try washing dishes at her home. That could help.
They aren't in love until 'palat' happens
"Raj agar wo tujse pyaar karti hai to palat ke zarur dekhegi," a hopeful Raj told himself and we knew how to test one's love. You just have to turn around to profess your love. Calling off engagements, or writing love letters is so passe. After all, saying without words is what love is about, right? *Mumbles palat on repeat every time a crush passes*
Education is overrated, you just need charm
Education is paramount, only if you aren't a rich brat who bullies his friends, drives his convertible car and goes on a Europe trip after being tired of doing nothing. Raj failed numerous times and despite that got a girl like Simran who buried her face in fat books. When you have charm (and looks of SRK), who cares about your degrees?
Not every Babuji is Alok Nath (both on and off-screen)
We were all conditioned to see Alok Nath-seque babuji character, who wakes the family up with aartis, and imparts 'sansakaari' lessons a bit too often. And then came Amrish Puri's Balraj, who owned a shop, fed sparrows, and fixed his daughter's wedding when she was young (why though?). For Raj, it was more difficult to win babuji's heart than Simran's. But Simran did get a happy ending, just as he said "Jaa Simran Jaa, jee le apni zindagi".
Trust Indian Railways to give your love story a happy-ending
It was Indian Railways which played the most important part in Raj-Simran's love story. Had it been a bullet train (which Narendra Modi has so convincingly sold), Simran wouldn't have been able to run to her love Raj. That she missed the compartment near to her isn't a debate to address today. With its bullock-cart like speed, Indian Railways ensured the journey ahead for Raj and Simran is smooth.
You can't hate DDLJ, dislike it, but not hate it
Some may argue DDLJ is overrated, Raj got more attention than required, and Simran might have been too dramatic. But in 1995, when the movie released it showed what eternal love means. With all our 'wokeness', we might find it regressive, but it isn't. It's all about love.
