Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), one of the most iconic films of Indian cinema, has clocked 25 years of its release today. Helmed by Aditya Chopra and produced by legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films, the romantic film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles of Raj and Simran respectively. Everything related to the film – be its music, dialogues or characters – is popular among the audience to date.
As DDLJ completes 25 years of its release, Kajol reveals the reason she agreed to play Simran in the film. “I loved the script! It was brilliant, and Adi was a friend, so I knew he will make a good film. All four of us got together and had a great time making the film,” says the award-winning actress.
DDLJ holds several records under its belt, including the record of being the longest-running Hindi film in the history of Indian cinema. Until the Coronavirus outbreak forced theatres to close their doors, the iconic film was still being screened at Maratha Mandir cinema in Mumbai.
Talking about how the film has touched so many lives across generations, Kajol says, “They made it a part of their history and legacy. Parents show it to their kids, ‘Oh, you remember this film? It’s so cool. We should watch it.’ I have met people who showed it to their grandkids. We are lucky that this film is a phenomenon. We don’t think it can ever be repeated. I really thank everyone who has gone and made it the longest-running film for so many years.”
When asked about the most memorable time she had while filming the film in India and abroad, Kajol shares, “Everything is known about DDLJ already. It is not a secret, honestly. The most memorable time I had during the shoot would be the whole Switzerland trip we took. We all were there and enjoyed everything. God knows how many hours on the bus together, and all of us stayed together at Gstaad. It was an amazing time. We all had a blast together,” she concludes.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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