Anupam Kher Remembers ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ on Its 30th Anniversary
Mumbai, 22nd October 2025: October 20, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the iconic Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). Actor Anupam Kher, who played Shah Rukh Khan’s eccentric yet endearing father, reminisced about the film and its enduring impact on Indian cinema.
In a recent interview, Kher said he always knew the film would be special. “It changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema, making it a cult film,” he noted.
Recalling the film’s first screening, Kher shared, “When the screening ended, there was silence for a minute. That minute felt like six hours had passed. Everyone was just absorbing what they had seen. And then the entire theater erupted in applause. The standing ovation continued. That’s when we realized that this film had touched people deeply.”
WONDERFUL FEELING: On the landmark occasion of #30YearsOf #DDLJ, it was a joyous feeling for me to visit the iconic location #MountTitlis in #Switzerland where both #Shahrukh and #Kajol shot some amazing sequences from the film. And to find the poster there was too cool a… pic.twitter.com/20lYlciE0v
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 21, 2025
Kher highlighted how Aditya Chopra’s film broke many cinematic conventions, particularly around the relationship between a parent and a hero. “The hero, Raj, waits for the girl’s father’s permission instead of running away with her. This was revolutionary for its time,” he said.
Released on October 20, 1995, DDLJ went on to become one of the most celebrated films in Bollywood history. Kher also won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his memorable role.
Speaking about his favorite scene, Kher singled out the moment with Shah Rukh Khan in which he says, “We failed in India, but you failed in London and showed us how.” He said, “That scene was very special. Shah Rukh is a master of improvisation, and we had a lot of fun experimenting.”
Kher also reflected on his character’s enduring popularity as the “cool dad.” “People still tell me, ‘I wish my father was like the one in DDLJ,’” he said. Unlike traditional portrayals of fathers, his character was not just a guardian but a motivating friend, earning a place in the hearts of audiences and defining one of the best on-screen fathers of the 1990s.
