Kajol Changed Behind Trees, Shah Rukh Khan Carried Equipment: Karan Johar On DDLJ Shoot

News18

6 days ago

Karan Johar said the actors had no entourages, and there were no big departments managing different aspects of the film.
Released in 1995, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is one of Bollywood's most iconic romantic films. Directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by Yash Raj Films, it stars Shah Rukh Khan as Raj and Kajol as Simran—two young Indians who fall in love during a European vacation. The film was extensively shot in Switzerland with a crew of 21 people. Karan Johar, who was an assistant director on the film, recently recalled the film's international shoot in a chat with Jay Shetty.
Karan Johar said, 'When we shot in Switzerland, we were a unit of 21 people, just 21 people making a movie in one bus. We would sit in one bus, we would drive, and Adi (Aditya Chopra) would look at the locations and say, 'Stop. This looks beautiful. Let's go film.'" 'We used to take Kajol behind a tree and make her wear a saree, and Shah Rukh would change anywhere and then come and shoot, and then we would get back into that bus," he shared.
The filmmaker recalled how, since there were only 21 people, everyone had to help out without any starry tantrums. 'Everyone held equipment and walked up, like, if you had to shoot on a mountain top. Shah Rukh was holding equipment, and Kajol was too; literally, everyone was a team. There was no additional help or support. Today, everyone is so spoilt," he shared.
Karan Johar said the actors had no entourages, and there were no big departments managing different aspects of the film. 'I remember when Kajol was there, her hair and make-up person did not get a visa. I was brushing her hair on set, and her mother was doing her make-up," he shared
Recalling dressing Kajol in a saree for the shoot of the Tujhe Dekha Toh song, Karan said, 'So I went by memory and remembered how I had seen my mom wear it. We tied that saree in some way, which, according to me, looks terrible, and if anybody watches DDLJ, it is the electric blue saree she wears in the snow in the song Tujhe Dekha Toh, where Shah Rukh is in a red shirt. Her saree is like a kaftan on her. We didn't know what to do, we had no one to help us." Karan concluded, 'Still, we had the best time."
DDLJ marked a turning point in Bollywood, modernising Hindi cinema while maintaining its emotional roots. The chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol became legendary, and the film's music—composed by Jatin-Lalit with songs like 'Tujhe Dekha To" and 'Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna"—remains beloved.
The film's impact was monumental. It became the longest-running movie in Indian cinema history, screening continuously at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theatre for over 25 years. It also set new standards for storytelling, global appeal, and box office success.
Even decades later, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continues to capture hearts with its charm, humour, and emotional depth. It's more than just a movie—DDLJ is a cultural milestone that defined an era and still influences Indian cinema and audiences around the world.
First Published:
July 25, 2025, 11:07 IST
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