Dilwale: Why it is not an epic Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol romantic saga

Dilwale brings the hit jodi — Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol — back onscreen after five years (they were last seen in Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan in 2010). But is Dilwale a romantic film? Going by the promotional videos and songs that we have seen so far, it is not about the sizzling chemistry of SRK-Kajol alone.

Rohit Shetty and his gang may have been banking on a throwback to the lead couple’s 1995 superhit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) but the latest outing simply cannot be DDLJ, the cult classic as diehard Bollywood romantics call it.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol on the sets of Dilwale.

While DDLJ was Khan’s first movie where he was essaying a “very girlish” role, loads of expectations of a romantic saga are bound to ride on a throwback to the film, thanks to the romantic image he has now.

Granted, Dilwale brings the hit jodi — Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol — back onscreen after five years (they were last seen in Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan in 2010). But is Dilwale a romantic film? Going by the promotional videos and songs that we have seen so far, it is not about the sizzling chemistry of SRK-Kajol alone. And here’s why:

Read: Dilwale can’t repeat the magic of DDLJ, says SRK

ACTION

Varun Dhawan makes his grand entry in Dilwale. (YOUTUBE GRAB)

First things first: Rohit Shetty has directed Dilwale. The man is known as much for smashing cars as he is for smashing box office records. In his entire career that has 12 films to his credit, the action director has never ever done a romantic feature. The closest he could get to the genre was his first collaboration with Shah Rukh, Chennai Express, and that is not a film that will ever be listed as romantic.

Watch: Rohit Shetty talks about the action in his films

SUSPENSE

More than romance, a Rohit Shetty film offers gravity-defying action sequences and silly-slapstick comedy. The little digression that his movies take, away from action-comedy, is when he introduces a suspense element. His first directorial venture, Zameen, had elements of suspense and thriller, though the movie proved a dud. Even Singham had a few streaks of suspense drama with Prakash Raj’s comic relief, though.

Shah Rukh Khan shows shades of grey in Dilwale promos. (YOUTUBE GRAB)

Read: SRK and Kajol in the making of a ‘pretty’ Dilwale climax

In one of the promos, SRK tells Kajol, ‘Meera! Aaj ke baad mujhe apna chehra mat dikhana, jaan le lunga’. (YOUTUBE GRAB)

And Dilwale promises suspense too. From SRK-Kajol’s unrequitted love story to king Khan’s past, there’s enough evidence in the first trailer itself that there will be anxious twists and turns to the story.

Watch Dilwale trailer

The latest sneak preview shared by Red Chillies Entertainment, gives a glimpse of the edgy storyline that is likely to get revealed this Friday. SRK’s dialogue, “Hum shareef kya hue, puri duniya hi badmaash ban gayi”, reminds one of Amitabh Bachchan in Hum. Some high-octane action-packed drama that will be!

Watch Dilwale sneak preview

COMEDY
Unlike the subtle ‘Raj teases Simran’ comic relief in DDLJ, Rohit Shetty is bound to attack the audience with over-the-top, in-your-face lame jokes and with Varun Dhawan playing the younger brother of SRK. He certainly has all the help he ever needed. Varun’s song in the film, Manwa Emotion, actually gives a glimpse into what’s in store.

Watch: Manma Emotion Jage Re

Dilwale might turn out to be an entertainer and will definitely earn crores at the box office, but it will clearly not be a romantic affair. Even SRK said Dilwale can’t repeat the magic of DDLJ, you’ve gotta take the romance king’s word, if not ours!