Almost two decades ago, a dilwala named Raj romanced a young woman named Simran in Switzerland and the mustard fields of Punjab, where she eventually becomes his dulhaniya. 19 years after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge released on October 20, 1995, Shah Rukh Khan's Raj and Kajol's Simran are still romancing each other on a screen in Mumbai's Maratha Mandir. (Also Read - Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge@19: Top 10 Dialogues)
DDLJ, as it is fondly known, has given us some of the most hilarious and romantic moments on film and, as it heads towards completing 1000 weeks in December, here are our 19 top moments:
1. Raj Steals Beer
Now, if Raj hadn't stolen the beer, he may have had an easier time winning over Simran's dad - but then, would there have been a film at all?
2. Raj Fails in London
If you are going to fail your exams, do it in style. After all, as his 'Pop' (played by Anupam Kher) says, Raj made his ancestors (who had only failed in India) proud by failing in videsh.
3. The Train
Eurostar, you're famous. The 'Raj And Simran Train Moment', as we'd like to call it, became everyone's most desired way of meeting their true love. The train moments are also the most spoofed and reenacted scenes in Bollywood. In fact, Shah Rukh Khan himself spoofed the train sequence in Rohit Shetty's Chennai Express
Helping her catch her train doesn't guarantee you a place in her heart, discovers Raj as he labours through the most clichéd lines which are pointedly ignored by Simran as she reads her book, upside down.
5. Oopsie, Raj Drops Simran
The SRK-Kajol romance is the stuff of Bollywood screen legend, made all the more memorable by bittersweet moments like when he drops her in the song Ruk Ja O Dil Diwane
Gentlemanly Raj apologises to Simran for his rudeness with a flower. She forgives him, only to discover it's another trick.
7. Raj and Simran Miss Their Train
Still touring together, Raj and Simran miss the train. And who is to blame? Raj! In one of the most hilarious moments from the film, Kajol dissolves into tears as she realizes she's stuck with the co-traveller from hell. We don't blame her, after all that Raj has put her through.
8. Raj Saves Simran From Arrest
Talking matters into her own hand, Simran decides to hitch a lift only to fall into trouble again - this time, however, with no help form Raj. On the contrary, Raj comes to her rescue just as the French policeman is all set to arrest her. Shah Rukh's side-splitting way with words in the scene left us in stitches.
9. Simran Gets Drunk
Simran now sees Raj in a new light - and we get to see her in one too. This is what happens when a 'good girl' gets drunk. She breaks down the shop displays, runs about the city giving Raj a hard time. "Rabba Mere Mujhe Bachaa
While waiting for their bus, Raj and Simran visit a church. Raj thinks it's fun to yell and hear his voice echo but is silenced by a withering look from Simran.
11. Palat
The second most iconic scene - after the train scene - in DIlwale Dulhaniya Le JayengeAgar woh tujhse pyaar karti hai, toh woh paltegi. Palat.. Palat.. Palat.. Palat
When you've been prised away from your one true love in one continent and are reunited with him in another, you need a romantic setting and soundtrack. DDLJTujhe Dekha Toh Ye Jaana Sanam
Now that he's in India to win his love, Raj is a man of action. The first task is to gain entry into a house which is preparing for Simran's wedding to the testosterone-fuelled Kuljeet. A little bit of ingenuity later, Raj and Kuljeet - who he's just saved from a gory fate in a jungle (not really)- are the best of friends and Raj is a step closer to his love.
14. When Raj Meets Simran in the House
Kuljeet introduces his jigri yaarNamasteji
Little did Raj know that stealing a crate of beer in London would prove an almost-insurmountable obstacle in his romantic life. As he attempts to win over the Father of the BrideAaoPhurrrrAye Meri Zohra Jabeen
He is strict and a man of few words but Chaudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri) loves his wife and isn't shy about wearing his heart on his sleeve once in a while. As one of Bollywood's most popular wedding songs (Mehendi Laga Ke RakhnadupattaAye Meri Zohra Jabeen
17. Anupam Kher and the Great Simran Mix-Up
What happens when Raj's 'Pops' (Anupam Kher) decides to help him? He ends up betrothed to Kuljeet's sister Preeti. Pops meets Preeti and assumes she's Simran despite Raj's desperate attempts to tell his father that he's ruining everything.
18. Karva Chauth
Simran fasts for Karva Chauth
As Indian Railways bears Raj away from Simran forever, her stern father relents and, in a moment of epiphany, realises that no other man can love his daughter as much as Raj does. Ja Simran, jeele apni zindagi
