Some films are more than just blockbusters; they become emotion, nostalgia, and history. One such film is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), a timeless classic that continues to rule hearts even three decades after its release.
Released on 20 October 1995, the Aditya Chopra directorial changed the landscape of Hindi cinema forever. Shah Rukh Khan, who played the iconic Raj Malhotra, initially had no intention of doing the film. In fact, he rejected the script four times before finally saying yes. The reason? At that time, SRK wasn’t keen on doing a romantic role. He was already gaining fame as the “anti-hero” with darker roles in films like Baazigar and Darr.
But destiny had other plans, and when he eventually agreed, the film went on to become a cultural phenomenon.
Who were the first choices before Shah Rukh Khan?
Not many know that before Shah Rukh came on board, Aditya Chopra had approached Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Saif Ali Khan for the lead role. However, none of them accepted the offer. It was only after their rejections that the role landed in Shah Rukh’s lap, and the rest, as they say, is history.
With DDLJ, Shah Rukh became the face of romance in Bollywood. The film, co-starring Kajol, captured the dreams of an entire generation. Even today, it continues to play every day at Mumbai’s iconic Maratha Mandir theatre, a record unmatched by any other Hindi film.
How rejections shaped SRK’s stardom
Interestingly, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge wasn’t the only film that came to Shah Rukh after being rejected by other big names. His debut hit Deewana, was initially meant for Armaan Kohli, but when he walked out, Shah Rukh stepped in, and that film gave him his first big break.
Similarly, Baazigar was offered to Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor before it finally went to SRK. Both had turned it down due to its negative shades, but Shah Rukh took the risk and made the anti-hero look iconic. His famous line, “Haar kar jeetne wale ko hi Baazigar kehte hain”, still echoes as one of Bollywood’s most loved dialogues.
Even Darr, directed by Yash Chopra, was first offered to Aamir Khan. He refused to play an obsessive lover, and once again, Shah Rukh took it up and turned it into one of his most memorable roles.
Later, in Karan Arjun (1995), Shah Rukh replaced other big names like Sunny Deol and Ajay Devgn, pairing up with Salman Khan to deliver another massive hit.
A king forged by rejection
From rejecting DDLJ multiple times to stepping into roles that others left behind, Shah Rukh Khan built his empire brick by brick — with courage, instinct, and impeccable timing. Today, he stands as one of the most celebrated actors in the world, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge remains his most iconic film — a love story that refuses to fade even after 30 years.
Highlights:
- Shah Rukh Khan rejected Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge four times before signing it.
- The film was first offered to Salman, Aamir, and Saif Ali Khan.
- DDLJ continues to run daily at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir even after 30 years.
