Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Romantic Comedy 8/10

So now well in my crush on Shahrukh, I watched Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.  This is the film that made Shahrukh and Kajol famous.  It's also the most famous Bollywood of all time.  It's still getting played in India.  It's the "All Time Blockbuster."  There is well reason for that.

To be honest it doesn't start off looking like it's going to be that way.  It starts off a bit cheesy but then suddenly turns.. like epic or something.  Cheesy romcom suddenly becomes epic love story of all time.  Blew me away.

So both Raj (Shahrukh) and Simran (Kajol) grew up in London, but Raj and his father (the ever awesome Anupam Kher) are fun loving and progressive, while Simran's father is like the definition of traditional.  Simran is engaged to a dude in India and she has to marry him, because of the promise between her father and the dude's father, who are buddies.  So as a last request, Simran is allowed to go on a backpacking tour type deal of Europe with her friends before going to India to get hitched.  Raj also goes on that trip with his friends, as a "graduation?" gift.  They meet, hate each other, tease each other, get separated from the main group because of an accident, and of course fall in love, but only realize it as they arrive in London and are saying good bye.  Good realization song = turning point of the movie which now becomes epically awesome.

Simran is swept away to India to get married when her father finds out she fell in love with a Londoner on the trip, and after a pep talk from his father, Raj follows.  The rest is awesomeness.

Seriously, I almost forget the first half in my love of the second half.  The title means like "The Brave Hearted Will Take Away the Bride" and its full of wedding culture, clever ways for them to stick together, misunderstandings, winning the family over, a cheesy dance like fight scene, and Shahrukh's passionate almost crying face.  That would win me over too, eh dad?

This is a must to see, especially as it WILL be referenced in almost every other movie you will watch.  So if it seems too cheesy at first, just make it to that middle song and suddenly you will love it.  Seriously.

Favorite Song:
Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam

Favorite Dance:
Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna