Exclusive: Mandira Bedi Recalls Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Journey & The Raj She Found Off-screen

My earliest reminiscence of being on set was really taking pictures for the music itself. Because the world is aware of, I can’t dance and to start my DDLJ journey with Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna, surrounded by such unbelievable dancers, was fairly an expertise. It was actually a horrifying begin for me, and I’ll always remember Saroj Khan telling me that I dance like Sunny Deol

These have been the times when there weren’t even cell phones, this was virtually 30 years in the past. I used to be staying with my aunt then, as my mother and father had moved to Delhi. I nonetheless keep in mind her telling me {that a} name had come from Karan Johar. At the moment, Karan had simply turn into a director and was aiding Aditya on the movie. I returned the decision on the landline, and Karan informed me that they have been seeking to have me on board for a personality within the movie, one thing on the traces of a second lead. In fact, I didn’t totally perceive what that meant again then. However the truth that it was a Yash Chopra movie and that it was being made by his son, for his very first film was sufficient for me to be really thrilled and excited to be a part of it.

What actually stood out to me was the heat that Yash Raj Movies is thought for — the way in which they care for everybody like household. It really felt like a house away from residence. Nobody sat of their vans to eat; everybody got here collectively for lunch, the meals was superb, and there was this glorious sense of togetherness. That family-like environment is without doubt one of the most stunning issues about being on a Yash Raj Movies set — it genuinely seems like residence.

I clearly keep in mind the joy he had whereas making the movie. There have been moments when Adi would abruptly mild up with an concept and rush to share it generally along with his father, generally with Shah Rukh, whether or not it was about how he wished to shoot a scene or a selected line he wished delivered a sure approach. He was fully immersed within the movie, pondering, residing, and respiratory it each single second. Each time a brand new thought struck him, he would actually bounce up, share it, search suggestions or validation, after which go proper forward and make it occur. He was extremely enthusiastic, passionate, and deeply concerned in each facet of the movie.

My first day on set was at Filmistaan, taking pictures Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna in that unforgettable orange and purple outfit. It was a four-day music shoot, and I keep in mind being made to put on garments I’d by no means even imagined earlier than. Manish Malhotra informed me that the orange and purple mixture was excellent for my character — although I had by no means worn something prefer it in my life! I additionally had this lengthy wig, and the character I used to be taking part in was fully in contrast to me.

At the moment, I had simply performed Shanti, a powerful lady out for justice and right here I used to be now, portraying Preeti, who was fairly the alternative. It was actually overwhelming being on such a grand set, doing a dance sequence once I actually can’t dance or observe choreography simply, and sharing house with a star solid like Shah Rukh and Kajol, who have been the ‘it’ couple of that point. It was intimidating, thrilling, and surreal unexpectedly.

You shared display screen house with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol at the beginning of their rise as superstars. What was it like seeing their chemistry unfold on set?

Properly, sure, I did get to romance Shah Rukh Khan, just a bit bit! It was a very one-sided romance, all from my finish. Within the story, he involves India for another person totally, the girl he really loves whereas I’m simply this little distraction alongside the way in which. In my eyes, he’s the proper man, and in his eyes, I’m merely a method to get nearer to the household.

We had these candy however awkward moments , romantic from my aspect, and awkward from his and it was actually a whole lot of enjoyable to shoot. The quantity I needed to tilt my head and look coy in these scenes is one thing I don’t assume I’ve ever finished earlier than or since.

Sure, there was an unmistakable star aura about him. He had this unbelievable power that’s exhausting to explain, at all times on his ft, at all times up and about. As an actor, he was extraordinarily beneficiant; for him, it was by no means nearly his personal efficiency, however about making all the scene come alive. He would fortunately do as many takes as wanted to ensure the scene turned out good. It was really pretty being round him. Even again then, he had that magnetic star high quality and through the years, that aura has solely grown stronger and turn into much more stunning.

The movie nonetheless resonates even after three many years as a result of it’s a real basic, a love story for the ages. It’s that timeless story of boy meets woman, they begin off disliking one another, slowly fall in love, after which are prepared to undergo something to be collectively. The trials and tribulations he faces to win her, proper as much as that unforgettable climax, are what make it so particular.

Many movies have tried to recreate that magic, however none have ever fairly matched what DDLJ achieved. It’s a fantastically crafted, basic love story that continues to attach with audiences even right now nonetheless working at Maratha Mandir, and I actually don’t assume there’ll ever be one other movie that may equal or break that file.

The movie additionally holds a particular private which means for me. Again then, Shah Rukh’s character was named Raj and although I wasn’t married on the time, I ultimately went on to marry my Raj.