Exclusive: Mandira Bedi Recalls Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Journey and The Raj She Found Off-screen

My earliest memory of being on set was actually shooting for the song itself. As the world knows, I can’t dance and to begin my DDLJ journey with Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna, surrounded by such incredible dancers, was quite an experience. It was honestly a horrifying start for me, and I’ll never forget Saroj Khan telling me that I dance like Sunny Deol

Those were the days when there weren’t even mobile phones, this was almost 30 years ago. I was staying with my aunt then, as my parents had moved to Delhi. I still remember her telling me that a call had come from Karan Johar. At that time, Karan had just become a director and was assisting Aditya on the film. I returned the call on the landline, and Karan told me that they were looking to have me on board for a character in the film, something on the lines of a second lead. Of course, I didn’t fully understand what that meant back then. But the fact that it was a Yash Chopra film and that it was being made by his son, for his very first movie was enough for me to be truly thrilled and excited to be part of it.

What really stood out to me was the warmth that Yash Raj Films is known for — the way they take care of everyone like family. It truly felt like a home away from home. No one sat in their vans to eat; everyone came together for lunch, the food was amazing, and there was this wonderful sense of togetherness. That family-like atmosphere is one of the most beautiful things about being on a Yash Raj Films set — it genuinely feels like home.

I clearly remember the excitement he had while making the film. There were moments when Adi would suddenly light up with an idea and rush to share it sometimes with his father, sometimes with Shah Rukh, whether it was about how he wanted to shoot a scene or a particular line he wanted delivered a certain way. He was completely immersed in the film, thinking, living, and breathing it every single moment. Whenever a new thought struck him, he would literally jump up, share it, seek feedback or validation, and then go right ahead and make it happen. He was incredibly enthusiastic, passionate, and deeply involved in every aspect of the film.

My first day on set was at Filmistaan, shooting Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna in that unforgettable orange and purple outfit. It was a four-day song shoot, and I remember being made to wear clothes I’d never even imagined before. Manish Malhotra told me that the orange and purple combination was perfect for my character — though I had never worn anything like it in my life! I also had this long wig, and the character I was playing was completely unlike me.

At that time, I had just played Shanti, a strong woman out for justice and here I was now, portraying Preeti, who was quite the opposite. It was honestly overwhelming being on such a grand set, doing a dance sequence when I really can’t dance or follow choreography easily, and sharing space with a star cast like Shah Rukh and Kajol, who were the ‘it’ couple of that time. It was intimidating, exciting, and surreal all at once.

You shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol at the start of their rise as superstars. What was it like seeing their chemistry unfold on set?

Well, yes, I did get to romance Shah Rukh Khan, just a little bit! It was a completely one-sided romance, all from my end. In the story, he comes to India for someone else entirely, the woman he truly loves while I’m just this little distraction along the way. In my eyes, he’s the perfect guy, and in his eyes, I’m simply a means to get closer to the family.

We had these sweet but awkward moments , romantic from my side, and awkward from his and it was honestly a lot of fun to shoot. The amount I had to tilt my head and look coy in those scenes is something I don’t think I’ve ever done before or since.

Yes, there was an unmistakable star aura about him. He had this incredible energy that’s hard to describe, always on his feet, always up and about. As an actor, he was extremely generous; for him, it was never just about his own performance, but about making the entire scene come alive. He would happily do as many takes as needed to make sure the scene turned out just right. It was truly lovely being around him. Even back then, he had that magnetic star quality and over the years, that aura has only grown stronger and become even more beautiful.

The film still resonates even after three decades because it’s a true classic, a love story for the ages. It’s that timeless tale of boy meets girl, they start off disliking each other, slowly fall in love, and then are willing to go through anything to be together. The trials and tribulations he faces to win her, right up to that unforgettable climax, are what make it so special.

Many films have tried to recreate that magic, but none have ever quite matched what DDLJ achieved. It’s a beautifully crafted, classic love story that continues to connect with audiences even today still running at Maratha Mandir, and I honestly don’t think there will ever be another film that can equal or break that record.

The film also holds a special personal meaning for me. Back then, Shah Rukh’s character was named Raj and though I wasn’t married at the time, I eventually went on to marry my Raj.

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