On October 20, the timeless film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) celebrated its 27th anniversary. It stands out as the longest-running movie in cinematic history. The Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer’s 11:30 am performance at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir continues to astound the trade and industry. Many people have seen it countless times and have even committed the dialogue to memory. They can’t help but go to Maratha Mandir, though. Since that is the movie’s magic, it won’t be unexpected if it continues to be a success for another 27 years.
The music from the movie is still fondly remembered by listeners. As a result, on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Bollywood Hungama conducted an exclusive interview with Jatin Pandit, of the Jatin-Lalit duo, to learn more about the movie and how they won the project.
They were able to land the love tale thanks in large part to Asha Bhosle, according to Jatin Pandit: “This was around the time Pancham da (R D Burman) died away. Two days later, Lalit Pandit and I visited him at his home. Pancham da’s room included Asha ji, who was alone herself. We talked with her. “Tum log itna accha kaam kar rahe ho,” she said to us. Milni chahiye tum logon ko badi filmein. The question is, “Tum log badi filmein kyun nahi kar rahe ho?”
“She contacted Pam ji (Pamela Chopra, Yash Chopra’s wife) and spoke highly of us,” Jatin Pandit said. We received a call from Yash Raj Films a few days later. We were instructed to visit their office to listen to music. We arrived there. The hour-long sitting ended up lasting closer to three or four. We were unaware that Aditya Chopra would be making his directorial debut and that they were looking for a music director for his film. We assumed that Yash ji would be directing the picture.Unfinished script and completed filming are both stated in the hamari kismat acchi thi. Being in the right place at the right moment applied here. The narrative was then delivered to us, and the movie was bagged!
One of the album’s USPs was the variety of tracks it contained, ranging from overtly romantic (“Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam”) to upbeat (“Ruk Ja O Dil Deewana”) to joyful (“Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna”). A significant impact was also made by “Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye,” “Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko Pyaar,” and “Zara Sa Jhoom.” Then, “Ghar Aa Ja Pardesi” was a song that stood out. This song, which plays at the beginning of the movie while the NRI character (Amrish Puri) remembers his motherland, was quite moving. Many NRIs still cry when they hear or see the song today.
That was the concept behind “Hamara Desh Kitna Mahaan” in the NRI logon ko yaad dilaya jaaye. When compared to aapne paise toh kama liye, aapki sadakein aapko bula rahi hai. The song’s lyrics were masterfully written by Anand Bakshi saab. Pam ji was asked to sing it. Jatin Pandit remarked, “She sang it so beautifully.
The fact that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge did not receive the Best Music Award at the 41st Filmfare Awards hurts many people because they believe it to be the greatest music album ever. Rangeela, starring Aamir Khan and Urmila Matondkar, was instead scored by A R Rahman using the Black Lady (1995). In response to the question of whether he was disappointed by this reality, he replied, “Iss baat ka toh mujhe aaj tak dukh hai. The movie’s score deserved to win. Its tunes are getting more and more well-known as time goes on. Toh aa nahi sakta music baar baar toh.
Finally, Jatin Pandit replied, “Yes, I have gone with friends 2-3 times to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge at Maratha Mandir. Executive director of the theatre Manoj Desai bahut acche insaan hai. I therefore enjoy going there to see the movie. Accha mujhe lagta hai.
