Please do not get me wrong. This is absolutely my opinion, and I would like to express it through the medium of a powerful weapon – Words.
Good things first. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is perhaps one of the most epic movies of Bollywood. The charming chemistry and the imposing presence of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the film is hard to miss, and their pairing is considered to be one of the best in this film industry. The upscale locations from Switzerland to Punjab etc. etc. etc. add more beauty along with the powerful performances of most of the characters. BUT, there are certain aspects in the movie which give wrong message, and I absolutely disregard them.
The ugly truth is that Bollywood has a tremendous impact on people. Whatever the audience watch in the reel life, they envisage in their real life or expect something similar to happen. Hence, to a certain extent, this film fraternity should hold some social responsibility as well towards the public. Actually, this is true in Hollywood as well. We all are aware of that gruesome massacre where a masked man dressed as joker, inspired from the Dark Knight’s character, killed 12 people at a movie theatre in Colorado. Hence, you can imagine the immense impact of movies on people.
Let’s discuss the movie now.
Firstly: Remember the epic scene where Shah Rukh Khan meets Kajol for the first time and lends her a hand so that she can board the train? When both of them are stuck in the train’s compartment, the way Shah Rukh Khan hits on Kajol is extremely creepy. In their first meeting, he is trying to come so close to her – physical contact – that she gets agitated. The scene looks so annoying, and if someone does that in real life, we all know what is going to happen. It does not end there. In the song “Ruk ja oh dil deewane”, the creepiness continues where he tries to touch her, and, forcefully, dance with her.
Secondly: So let’s be practical. Kajol grows up by strongly following Indian culture and values where she respects her dad tremendously. She will wear Indian clothes in front of him and will listen to Bollywood oldies; I think we all agree to this. But, the moment Shah Rukh Khan comes to Punjab, she is ready to elope with him irrespective of the fact that it would put her dad into the most humiliating situation.
Boys and girls: Things like running away from home just look good in movies as they never show the “happily ever after” part of life.
Thirdly: Most of the times, our movies show that arrange marriages are not preferred. And in this movie as well, you do not feel good when you see the actual groom a.k.a. Kuljeet Singh. He is presented as a crude, offensive, and a hard hearted person who loves to hunt.
Fourthly: Kajol keeps “Karva Chauth” for Shah Rukh Khan with whom she is not even betrothed legally. The truth is that this custom is meant for married women ONLY, and there is a strong logic behind it. The worst part – lot of spinsters started keeping this fast for their anonymous future husbands so that they get a good partner. On discussing this aspect with one of the girls who also kept this fast for her future better half, she mentioned that Kajol as well keeps it in DDLJ. What????
I have met certain people in my life who believe in the notion that reel life is a part of real life. They further believe that if a guy likes some girl and in case she does not agree initially, she will fall for him eventually as always shown in the movies. Believe me or not, it is scary when you see people connecting these movies with their lives.
In short, the above mentioned scenes give wrong message to children especially teenagers that creepiness is absolutely acceptable, and these young minds fall for these traps. Even though, there was nothing obscene or profane in these scenes, the messages are worrisome.
Some people might think that showing only good things in the movies restrict the creativity. Well, not at all. We all understand that every movie gets a rating such as A for sexually offensive and so on which crystal clear means that only 18 and above are eligible to watch that movie. There is no such restriction to the creativity, and the movie makers are free to make any kind of movie; it’s just that the apt rating govern the audience. Look at The Dirty Picture, absolutely stunning with amazing performances, and it is also one of my favourites. Meant for 18 and above, and I concur.
However, is there any such rating for the creepiness shown in the movies? Unfortunately, NO.
Life………… Significance, Souvenirs, and Lessons 