Since 1995, it has been in the minds and hearts of Bollyfans and it still sings! Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, lovingly called DDLJ by Indians and South Asians across the globe, and one of its signature songs ‘Tujhe Dekha To’, has been voted the favorite 90s Bollywood song by BBC Asian Network!
DDLJ is an all-time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema that has made Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol India’s and even worldwide most loved movie stars for generations. A number one film on many fans’ lists of favorite films, DDLJ is still the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema and still shows every day at the iconic Maratha Mandir Theatre in Mumbai.
DDLJ, as we all know, tells the story of Raj, played by legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan, and Simran, played by actress Kajol. The two are Indians living in London who meet and fall in love against Simran’s family’s wishes. Do they get their Happily Ever After? If you don’t know, go watch the movie now!
BBC’s Asian Network invited listeners to choose The Ultimate 90s Bollywood Song from a list of 50 contenders. It included song and dance numbers such as ‘Ole Ole’ from the film Yeh Dillagi to ballads like ‘Bahon Ke Darmiyan’ from Khamoshi: The Musical. However, it was the classic ‘Tujhe Dekha To’ that was unanimously chosen as the winner! ‘Tujhe Dekho To’ was sung by Kumar Sanu and the legendary Lata Mangeshkar and has been one of the most played songs across music streaming platforms for decades.
Talking to the BBC, Sanu said he felt it would be a hit, “Whilst singing, we felt that kind of vibration. And I was sure this song would do something.”
‘Tujhe Dekha To’ plays over a scene featuring the couple dancing in a field full of yellow mustard plants – a visual that is iconic to India’s pop culture in the 90s. This scene is still referenced by films that are being made in the country due to its substantial nostalgic impact! We still come and fall in love in that moment on screen!
We bet the song is playing in your head right now; it certainly is for us!
In fact, here is the video!
