Kajol on DDLJ's Raj and Simran in Today's World: 'They Would Have 4 Other Options on Standby'

Kajol’s iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) gave Indian cinema two of its most iconic characters—Raj and Simran. Nearly 29 years after the film’s release, Kajol offered a fresh perspective on how these characters might fit into today’s world of modern dating, and it’s a take that could leave hardcore DDLJ fans in shock.

During the fourth session of Expresso, Kajol was asked what Raj and Simran would look like in the current dating landscape. Her response was blunt and reflective of how love stories have evolved. “Raj and Simran would not exist today. They’d be WhatsApping each other, making sure they had four other options on standby,” she remarked, adding, “Simran would have a Harish, Sanjay, and others lined up, and Raj would probably do the same. I don’t know if Raj and Simran as a love story can exist in today’s world.”

Kajol’s comments are a nod to the modern dating culture of swiping left and right, multiple options and digital communication replacing the heartfelt letters and grand gestures that defined Raj and Simran’s romance in the 1995 classic.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is considered the longest-running film in Indian cinema history and is still screened at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir 29 years after its release. The film, directed by Aditya Chopra, starred Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who became an iconic on-screen couple with DDLJ. Before this, the duo had worked in Baazigar and Karan Arjun, but DDLJ catapulted them to cult status. They later went on to star in other iconic films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name is Khan.

At the event, Kajol also called herself the “laziest person” and touched on the long breaks she has taken throughout her career. “If you look at my filmography, I’m probably the least worked actor. My mom and grandmom always told me work is a part of your life, not your whole life. I took breaks to get married and have kids,” she revealed.

On the work front, Kajol’s next film, Do Patti, co-starring Kriti Sanon, is set to release on Netflix on October 25. She also has Sarzameen, Maharagni – Queen of Queens, and Maa lined up.