In a recent interview, Kajol, the celebrated Bollywood actress, shared an amusing anecdote about the making of the iconic poster for the timeless romantic film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The film, which also stars Shah Rukh Khan, has retained its popularity for three decades.
The poster in question features Shah Rukh Khan carrying Kajol on his shoulders, a pose that has become synonymous with the film itself. Kajol revealed that she was concerned about Shah Rukh's ability to carry her and jokingly questioned his strength before the shoot. "One thing that comes to my mind is how I got into this position," Kajol exclaimed, recalling the moment.
According to Kajol, she asked Shah Rukh, "Will you be able to," referring to carrying her on his shoulders. Shah Rukh, in his characteristic charming manner, reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, I’m strong". Kajol laughingly recounted that she thought Shah Rukh took her question as "a hit onto his masculinity". She playfully added that he might have developed a frozen shoulder later.
The actress also fondly remembered that the poster shoot occurred at photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha's studio. Despite her worries, Shah Rukh Khan "sweetly carried me on his shoulder and didn’t make me feel heavy at all," Kajol confessed.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, directed by Aditya Chopra, was released on October 20, 1995, and became a major commercial success. The film follows the love story of Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol), two young non-resident Indians who fall in love during a trip across Europe. Simran's father, however, has already promised her hand in marriage to someone else. Raj then tries to win over Simran's family so the couple can marry. The movie was shot in India, London and Switzerland between September 1994 and August 1995.
DDLJ was the highest-grossing Indian film of 1995 and won 10 Filmfare Awards. As of March 2025, the film is still being shown at the Maratha Mandir in Mumbai.
Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan have starred in several films together, including Baazigar, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan, and Dilwale. Their on-screen chemistry has made them one of Bollywood's most beloved and successful pairings.
In a social media post celebrating the film's 30th anniversary, Kajol shared the DDLJ poster with the caption, "Shah Rukh told Kajol in the ear, let's go and eat some burgers".
