Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Raj is the carefree scion of a well off NRI family who treats life as a celebration. Simran, the daughter of a stern patriarch who clings to Indian values, has returned to her homeland to prepare for an arranged match with her childhood fiancé. When the two cross paths in a whirlwind of color and music, Raj makes it his mission to win her heart even as he faces her family's strong resistance. The film balances humor with emotion as it contrasts cosmopolitan modern life with traditional expectations, using a bustling setting of trains, markets, and family dinners to frame a sweet romance that tests loyalties and grows with its characters. Its light humor and tender moments connect audiences widely.

Directed by Aditya Chopra in his feature debut, the film features an original screenplay by Chopra with contributions from Anand Bakshi and Javed Siddiqui. It stars Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan and released in 1995 marking a milestone for Bollywood.

Its worldwide gross neared 100 million dollars, marking a monumental commercial triumph for Bollywood. The film's broad appeal helped expand Hindi cinema's reach and solidify its place in popular culture worldwide across diasporas too.

DDLJ left a lasting cultural mark with its star pairing and a romance that defined a generation. Its fashion, music, and scenes became iconic in the 90s, elevating Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to international fame and influencing Bollywood marketing and storytelling, and inspired stage adaptations and fan rituals worldwide.

It earned broadly positive reviews and became a widely beloved crowd favorite for its warmth and charm. The film grapples with tradition and modern life, family duty, and the pull between roots and personal happiness, all delivered with a buoyant, accessible mood. Its songs helped shape later Hindi cinema.