DDLJ Ends Its Historic Run At Maratha Mandir After 1009 Weeks!
All good things come to an end, they say. Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema screened Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, arguably Bollywood’s greatest romantic film ever, for the very last time this morning, 1009 weeks – almost 20 years – after it began playing on October 19, 1995.
A statement from DDLJ makers Yash Raj Films read: “Post the 1000 week celebrations last December, the theatre had requested YRF to prepone theDDLJ morning show to 9:15 AM instead of 11:30 AM as it was becoming difficult for the cinema to accommodate multiple new releases every week with just 3 regular shows. Of course YRF obliged from Feb 13 2015. However, while the theatre management was happy to continue the film for as long as it continued to draw in the audiences, owing to logistical issues of their staff having to work inordinately long hours to accommodate an additional early morning show, it was mutually decided to end the film’s historic & record breaking run. After playing for 1009 uninterrupted weeks, the films unprecedented performance has come to an end at the Maratha Mandir. The film played out in the 9:15 AM show today for the last time at the theatre.”
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is widely regarded as a masterpiece on romance that re-defined the image of typical Bollywood hero and heroine. Shah Rukh Khan who played Raj, an Indo-British rich brat, tasted instant stardom post DDLJ and subsequently established himself as the ‘King of Romance’ in Bollywood. Kajol, the film’s leading lady, played Simran, an introvert Indo-British girl who eventually falls for Raj’s infectious charm.
DDLJ is one of the most successful films ever produced by Yash Chopra’s Yash Raj Films and directed by his son Aditya Chopra. The film recently completed its 1000 weeks at theatres and the occasion was marked with several events and nostalgic interactions by the film’s cast and crew.
While the film may have finally ended its run at Maratha Mandir, Raj & Simran’s love story continues to be an inspiration for millions of young boys and girls across India!
Here are some endearing images from the cult classic!
