If you belong to the 90s era, you probably would have heard the success story of Bollywood blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The evergreen romantic flick still as popular among the fans as it was 23 years ago.
The romance between Raj (Shah Rukh) and Simran (Kajol) blossoms during the European road trip, most of which unfolds in Switzerland’s pastoral meadows, snowy Alps and quaint villages. The film also sparked off India’s love affair with the Swiss Alps—with numerous Bollywood-themed and Yash Chopra tours being introduced in Switzerland in the last decade.
There’s now even a Chopra Lake in Alpenrausch and a Chopra train run by Jungfrau Railways, both named after the film’s director Yash Chopra.
Let’s relive the film’s most iconic moments as we take you through some of its locations as what they look like now.
Trafalgar Square, London
Now
The film’s famous opening scene was shot in Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. One of London’s most vibrant public spaces, Trafalgar Square is one of the city’s most important tourist sites. The film also showed a few snapshots of other London landmarks such as the Big Ben, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace.
Southall, London
Now
The location for Simran’s home and her father’s convenience store, this suburban neighbourhood is home to a large Indian community in London. The ambience is as Indian as it can get, with Indian restaurants, pubs, shops and even a cinema hall called Himalaya Palace showing Bollywood films.
St. Mauritius Church, Saanen, Switzerland
Now
A major chunk of the romance between Rahul and Simran unfurls in the charming villages dotting the Gstaad-Saanenland region in Switzerland. The narrow steeple of the St. Mauritius Church in Saanen is the one featured in the movie where Rahul and Simran pray together. The church was initially built in the 13th century and expanded in the 15th century. The interiors of the church was shot at the St. Grat Church in the village of Montbovon.
Zweisimmen, Switzerland
Now
Remember the scene where Raj and Simran miss their train? Yes, this is that tiny train station of Zweisimmen near Gstaad. The scene where Simran runs to catch the train was originally shot in a parking lot near the station. In reality, Zweisimmen is the starting point of a major rail line that travels to Montrux along Lake Geneva.
WATCH: How the platform looks like now
Gstaad, Switzerland
Now
A part of the song ‘Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main’ was shot in the main walkway of Gstaad, a tiny yet delightful village in western Switzerland. A popular winter sports destination and celebrity getaway, Gstaad is surrounded by natural Alpine wood chalets and is home to many gourmet restaurants.
WATCH: How it looks like now
Lake Lungern, Switzerland
Now
This small and scenic emerald green lake in central Switzerland briefly features in the romantic ballad “Tujhe Dekha To”, where Raj and Simran are shown fishing on the banks and catching a shoe.
Pictures courtesy: TOI
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