If one were to make a list of the most iconic Hindi films ever made, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge would definitely rank among the top few contenders. A story about love, Indian values and being nice, the film has provided joy to many people since 1995. The film has incredible 'repeat viewing' value even after so many years, which is why it is still running in Maratha Mandir and has completed 1000 weeks.
While several writers have written their tributes, reviews and memories of watching the movie, I am not aware of a single one who has tried to decode the hidden health messages in it. With the new year just round the corner, these messages can give you important lessons that you can implement in the coming year.
1. Take failures in your stride
After Shah Rukh Khan fails to graduate, his father played by Anupam Kher corks a champagne bottle to celebrate the occasion. He says, "You have done my entire family proud. All of them were failures, but you have gone one past them. They all failed in India, you failed in London!"
In a country obsessed with marks and academics, the pressure to perform has often led to many mental health issues. Compared to that, having a 'devil may care' attitude is much better.
2. Do not binge drink
Rum might often be abused pretty often in Indian hostels, but in really cold countries, the dark colored liquid can do more good than bad. In a scene, SRK drinks some rum to relax himself and offers Kajol (who is shivering) to drink some to beat the chill too. Kajol refuses it initially, but drinks the whole bottle after SRK is fast asleep. You know what follows if you've seen the movie.
A drink once in a while isn't too bad, but don't have an insatiable appetite for intoxication that makes you drink till you puke.
3. Take two vacations every year
Half the movie is based in Europe, where Kajol has gone on a 'once-in-a-lifetime' adventure. She gets to enjoy the vacation, and meets the love of her life.
Vacations are extremely healthy not only for your mind and soul but for your body as well. Start planning at least two vacations for 2015.
4. Include spices in your diet
Mustard fields have been staple for love songs in YRF films. In DDLJ's 'Tujhe dekha toh yeh jaana sanam', SRK sings the most iconic love ballad of the 90s for Kajol in a MUSTARD FIELD.
This may be subtle, but Aditya Chopra could be trying to promote the many healthy benefits of spices by picturizing it thus. If mustard isn't an ingredient you use in your food, then it 2015 is the time you start looking up recipes that include the spice.
5. Go for a morning walk daily!
Among the most endearing scenes in DDLJ, is when Shah Rukh Khan tries to apologize to Amrish Puri for his misbehaviour, by accompanying him on a morning walk to feed pigeons. The act of feeding helpless birds is not only noble, but also stress-busting and healthy.
Morning people have been found to be more successful, and if being physically and mentally healthy is a goal for you, then you should incorporate this habit in your life.
6. Choose herbal remedies over cosmetic ones
The ever-charming Shah Rukh Khan did his career a lot of good by absolutely killing it with his smile in this song. He asks women present at the marriage, to apply mehendi which is usually made of henna.
Henna is a wonderful beauty ingredient for the hair, and can prevent hair loss. Though the Indian tradition of applying mehendi is older than DDLJ, Aditya Chopra's decision to highlight it thus speaks volumes about his health consciousness. Instead of shampoo, use henna for great hair. Similarly, you can check out our beauty home remedies section for more substitutes.
7. Never lose your cool
It is an old Indian lesson - and DDLJ highlights it well. Even if elders are wrong, you should respect them. In a superbly enacted scene, a bloody faced Shah Rukh Khan, brimming with rage mellows down when he sees Amrish Puri's face.
Often, we do silly things in rage, and later regret it. This coming year, resolve to never lose your cool!
8. Incorporate running in your daily life
If Kajol hadn't kept a check on her diet and not been well prepared, she wouldn't have been able to run quickly and caught Shah Rukh Khan's hand that was drifting away from her. Imagine how the nation's favourite love story could have turned into an anticlimax!
Try to improve your speed, stamina and strength this year by running! If you can run at 7 kmph in the beginning of the year, then make sure you are able to run at 10 kmph at the end.
9. Choose heart over your head
The most iconic and memorable scene of the movie is when Amrish Puri (who wears a perennial expression of being pissed off) tells Kajol to run away with the love of her life. "Jaa Simran Jaa, jee le apni zindagi", he says in a moment where he finds zen-like clarity towards life. In this moment, he keeps his anger and ego at one side, and does what is right.
Many times in life, societal and egoistic pressures keep us from doing something that is right. Don't let that happen in 2015!
10. Choose love over hate
This is not a hidden message. In fact, if DDLJ has a message, then it is this. Shah Rukh Khan, being the son of a millionaire, could have easily run away with Kajol. He doesn't and choses to win the heart of her strict father with love instead.
In an emotional scene, SRK is asked by Kajol's mother to run away to fulfill their dreams. However, SRK decides to not take the easy way, and instead chooses the path to good which may be difficult at the start, and one may find many difficulties, but it always leads to a good end. Whereas the wrong path may give you success initially, but it will lead to sadness at the end. This is definitely a great mantra to live by for your life!
If you find yourself holding grudges and plotting revenge, let it all go in 2015.
Image source: Yash Raj Films
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