DDLJ turns 25: Designer Anaita Shroff Adajania recalls acting in the film

Mumbai, Oct 20 Fashion designer Anaita Shroff Adajania on Tuesday recalled acting in the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol blockbuster, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which released 25 years ago on this day.

On her verified Instagram post, Anaita revealed how she came on board the Aditya Chopra directorial at a time when she was a broke college student. Anaita played a character called Sheena, who was a friend of Simran, the female protagonist played by Kajol.

Anaita also opined that 25 years ago filmmaking was a simpler and passionate activity with “no entourages, no managers and mobiles and no social media”.

Sharing stills featuring her in the film, Anaita wrote: “I was in college when Adi and Karan asked me to help them cast my college friends to play Raj and Simrin’s friends in the film. This was my introduction to the film industry- a world I knew nothing about at the time.”

“In the process they convinced me into playing Sheena. I did it for a laugh and a paid holiday to Europe with my bestie, which was a really big deal for a broke student.”

“I remember reaching Saanen, a small town in Switzerland , fresh off the bus ( ok plane) and seeing Shahrukh in his black suit on a little bridge …and for me I felt that he was there only for me! I’m sure whoever saw him on that bridge felt the same way – that’s why he’s Shahrukh. Kajol was just Kajol – real, instinctive, full of love (and still gives the tightest hugs ever). You have to remember that these were times when they were no entourages, no managers and mobiles, no social media…film making was much simpler, but extremely passionate. Once we were there, we were cut off from the rest of the world for over a month. We would all live together, eat together, sing together, dance together… we become a real family, under the warm gaze of a legend like Yash uncle (Yash Chopra).”

“Adi knew DDLJ from his core, and strove for nothing less than perfection. We all hung out and helped each other in ways only close knit friends and families do.”

“Never having any acting ambitions ( thankfully), I’m so glad that I was part of this brilliant film and that I can still call everyone that I worked with a friend. I’m so happy to have been a tiny part of this massive legacy. #DDLJ25,” she concluded.