Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai will celebrate 30 years of daily screenings of the iconic Bollywood romance Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The film, widely known as DDLJ, has become India’s longest-running film and continues to draw hundreds of viewers to its morning screenings. Released in 1995, the movie redefined modern Hindi romance with its tale of young lovers bucking tradition.
The film’s message of love and freedom still resonates with younger generations, who often compare it unfavorably to transactional relationships. Fans praise the film for its cultural significance, saying it perfectly captured the tension between traditional and modern values in India. The daily screenings have become a ritual, with some fans attending every week for over 20 years.
The theatre’s head says that weekday crowds are made up of university students and young couples, while Sunday screenings attract around 500 people. Critics say DDLJ has become a cultural monument, destined to play forever. As one fan says, “I have seen it about 30 times… and I will continue watching it.”
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/19/iconic-bollywood-romance-marks-30-years-of-non-stop-run-at-mumbai-theatre