Filmmaker Karan Johar recently shared fascinating anecdotes from the 1995 blockbuster “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ), revealing how the iconic film was shot in Switzerland with an incredibly small crew.
A Lean, Mean Filming Machine
Karan Johar, who served as an assistant director on DDLJ, described his year working on the film as the “best learning experience” of his life. He recounted how the team operated with minimal resources, where every member chipped in, often performing multiple roles.
During the Switzerland leg of the shoot, the entire unit consisted of just 21 people. They would travel in a single bus, with director Aditya Chopra scouting locations on the fly. If a spot looked beautiful, they’d simply stop and start filming right there.
Improvised Set-Ups and Shared Burdens
The lean crew meant no luxuries or extensive support staff. Karan recalled how Kajol would change her sarees behind a tree for outdoor scenes, while Shah Rukh Khan would find any convenient spot. Everyone, including the lead stars, carried equipment, especially when shooting on challenging terrains like mountain tops.
This starkly contrasts with today’s large film sets, where actors often have extensive entourages. Back then, it was all about teamwork and adaptability, with everyone pitching in to get the job done.
No Glam Squads for Kajol
One memorable detail Karan shared was about the lack of professional support for actors. Kajol’s dedicated hair and makeup artist couldn’t secure a visa for the Switzerland shoot.
In a surprising twist, Karan himself ended up brushing Kajol’s hair on set, while her mother, veteran actress Tanuja, took on the responsibility of doing her makeup. It highlights the hands-on approach everyone had to adopt.
The Infamous Saree Dilemma
Another hilarious incident involved the filming of the iconic song “Tujhe Dekha Toh.” Kajol was meant to wear a saree in the snowy Swiss Alps, but the crew faced a unique problem: nobody on set knew how to properly drape a saree.
Karan attempted to recall how his own mother wore a saree and, through trial and error, they managed to tie it. He humorously admitted that the electric blue saree Kajol wears in that song, particularly in the snowy scenes opposite Shah Rukh Khan in his red shirt, ended up looking “like a kaftan” because of their amateur efforts. Despite the logistical challenges and minor wardrobe mishaps, Karan affirmed that they “still had the best time.”
- DDLJ’s Switzerland shoot had a crew of just 21 people.
- Actors like Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan improvised changing spots and carried equipment.
- Kajol’s hair was done by Karan Johar, and her makeup by her mother, Tanuja, due to visa issues for her team.
- The crew had to improvise tying Kajol’s saree for the song “Tujhe Dekha Toh” as no one knew how.
These behind-the-scenes stories offer a unique glimpse into the passion and resourcefulness that went into creating one of Bollywood’s most enduring romantic sagas.
