Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is preparing for the release of Metro …In Dino, where he stars alongside Neena Gupta. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Kher shared his thoughts on the changing nature of love and how its depiction in cinema has evolved—or, as he suggested, become somewhat distorted over time. He also expressed the view that a classic like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge might not resonate with today’s audience if it were released in 2025.
Anupam Kher says DDLJ might not resonate with today’s generation; says, “If you make an old-school love story now, maybe only a few people will go watch it”
In an exclusive conversation, Anupam Kher remarked, “Whatever happens in the world around us reflects in our movies — whether it’s in the songs, the language, or the way we communicate love. Earlier, there was a certain kashish (appeal), a longing in romance.”
Reflecting on the earlier days of cinema, Anupam Kher noted, “In those times, we never used to speak directly. Falling in love took time. Even going to bed with someone wasn’t immediate—first love, then marriage, then sex. Now it’s like, fall in love today, and have sex the next day. There’s nothing wrong with it, I’m not judging. But that’s how it’s shown now.”
Kher shared his nostalgia for classic romantic storytelling, saying, “I’m yearning to watch a love story that carries that kashish (charm). That’s why I found Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to be such a beautiful romantic film — Sanjay Leela Bhansali captured that essence so perfectly. It had all of that…”
Continuing with a thoughtful pause, Kher asked rhetorically, “But now, there’s a certain ghabrahat (restlessness). Where is the beauty of a romantic film anymore? Tell me — what was the last truly romantic film you saw? Exactly. None.”
When asked why love stories seemed easier to tell in earlier times, he explained, “Samaaj badal gaya hai (society has changed). Films reflect society. If you make an old-school love story now, maybe only a few people will go watch it.”
When asked whether Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge would still resonate if it were released for the first time in 2025, Anupam Kher responded, “No, I don’t think it would. Today, it works because of its nostalgic value. But if it were made now, it wouldn’t have the same impact. It’s like Gone with the Wind—if it were made today, it wouldn’t strike the same chord. Times have changed, life has changed.”
He elaborated, “Back in the late ’90s and earlier, we had stories about couples running away to get married. But DDLJ broke that mold. It was the first time the hero said, ‘I will win over your father. Only then will we marry.’ That was new. And the father tells his son, ‘You failed in London? Good. We’ve all failed in India too.’ These were fresh, grounded characters. Now, things are different.”
Anupam maintains that the essence of love remains unchanged — it’s the expression that has evolved. “Love, at its core, may stay the same — but the way we express, portray, and interpret it shifts with each generation,” he said.
Also Read : Anupam Kher reflects on DDLJ and says, “No, I don’t think it would work today”; describes changing times, and the evolution of romance in cinema
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