Before Shah Rukh Khan–Kajol’s Iconic Romance, a Forgotten Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Released Back in 1980
When we hear the title Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, one image instantly comes to mind — the iconic 1995 romantic blockbuster by Aditya Chopra, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. It’s a film that redefined love stories in Indian cinema, became a cultural milestone, and continues to run in theaters even decades later.
But what if we told you that Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge wasn’t the first movie to carry that name? Surprisingly, 15 years before the SRK–Kajol starrer, another film with the same title — slightly spelled as Dulhaniya — had already been made and released in 1980.
The Forgotten Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1980)
The lesser-known 1980 version of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was directed by Rajendra Singh “Atish” and featured Beena Banerjee, Tariq Shah, and Desh Gautam in key roles. The project was produced by Kishore Saigal along with the director himself.
Unlike the glossy love saga of 1995, this earlier film belonged to the social drama genre, suggesting that it explored everyday issues, possibly with moral or religious undertones.
Behind the Scenes: Crew and Creative Team
The music for the 1980 film was composed by Cuckoo Singh, and cinematography was handled by H. Laxminarayan, who later worked on several well-known Hindi films such as Ankush, Pratighaat, Rang, and Suryavanshi. His visual style was known for bringing realism and emotion to middle-class stories, which fits the tone of this earlier DDLJ.
Interestingly, even though a vibrant and colorful poster of the movie exists — showing four women walking in a garden full of flowers — not much was known for decades about whether the film ever made it to theaters.
Rediscovered Through Film Archives
The mystery surrounding this forgotten Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge began to clear up when film historian and archivist S.M.M. Ausaja traced the movie’s record in the celebrated music archive “Geet Kosh.”
According to the book, the film did receive censor clearance on January 30, 1980, confirming that it was indeed completed and officially released. The runtime was approximately 15 reels, which equals nearly 2 hours and 45 minutes — a standard length for Hindi films of that era.
The record also mentions additional cast members such as Devender, Ashok Nath, Parvez Malik, Madhumita, Kavita Kiran, and Vandana — names that may not ring a bell today but were part of the supporting fabric of Bollywood in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
Music, Genre, and Themes
The Geet Kosh record also lists several of the movie’s songs, including:
- He Mere Bhole Bhandari
- Loot Liya Dil Goriye Pyaar Ne
- Suno Ri Sunaau Main
The devotional song He Mere Bhole Bhandari hints that the film had a religious or spiritual element, mixing social themes with moral storytelling — a trend that was quite popular in 1970s Hindi cinema.
This means the 1980 DDLJ was not a romantic film like the Shah Rukh–Kajol version, but rather a social drama with a possible family or devotional narrative.
Beena Banerjee — The Connection Across Eras
Among the cast, the most recognizable name is Beena Banerjee, a respected actress who has had a long and successful career in both films and television. She appeared in numerous classics such as Andar Baahar (1984), Meri Jung (1985), Karma (1986), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Baaghi (1990), Khiladi (1992), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Bewafa Sanam (1995), and Koi… Mil Gaya (2003).
She has also been a familiar face on Indian television in shows like Katha Sagar, Gul Gulshan Gulfam, Uttaran, and Stories by Rabindranath Tagore. More recently, she appeared in The Trial (Season 2) — which interestingly starred Kajol, the lead actress of the 1995 DDLJ.
This small coincidence beautifully links the two eras of “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” — one from 1980, almost forgotten, and one from 1995, forever celebrated.
A Hidden Chapter in Bollywood History
The rediscovery of the 1980 Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge adds a fascinating twist to Bollywood history. While Aditya Chopra’s DDLJ changed Indian cinema forever, it’s intriguing to know that another film once carried the same name — representing a completely different kind of storytelling.
It’s a reminder of how Bollywood’s rich past still hides many forgotten gems waiting to be remembered. And now, thanks to the archives and passionate film historians, this lost Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge has finally found its way back into conversation — 45 years after its quiet release.