BOLLYWOOD singing queen Shreya Ghoshal has ruled the hearts of fans around the world and cast a spell with her magical voice. One of her most dedicated admirers is Harinder Singh from Pathankot in Punjab, India, who goes that one step extra.
Eastern Eye caught up with the super fan to find out more.
What connected you to Shreya?
Shreya Ghoshal is the voice of India. It’s difficult for me to explain my respect and love for Shreya didi.
What made you a super fan?
It was her beautiful voice. I have listened to her every song, no matter the language, and the connection has grown stronger with each song.
Tell us about something super you have done for Shreya?
I have tried making sketches of her. I had also worked hard to create fan pages dedicated to Shreya didi, which gained popularity, but it got deleted on Instagram without warning. Now, I post regularly when I can about her only.
What has been your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment was when my Instagram account was live and Shreya didi sent me two messages there. I will not forget her kindness. Whenever I remember those messages, I feel happy.
What is the thing you most love about Shreya?
I am so much in love with her voice and songs. Whenever I am feeling sad, I just listen to her songs, and they make me happy. She is the voice of serenity, emotion, versatility and love.
Which quality in Shreya do you most relate to?
Shreya didi is a good human being. She loves and respects everyone, including her fans, equally. I try to do the same.
What is your favourite work Shreya has done?
I am proud of all the amazing work she has done, so it’s difficult to choose one. But I do love her song Pal, which she sang with Arijit Singh. She has gifted us so many great solo songs, and I hope she continues to do so with a smile.
Why do you love being a super fan?
My love and respect for Shreya didi is endless. I am a big fan of her songs. They give me strength, happiness and freshness.
Raj almost wasn’t Indian, Tom Cruise was the idea.
The title? Kirron Kher just threw it out there.
Pigeon scene: Totally SRK winging it. Kajol freaked a little.
Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna got added last minute. Can you imagine?
Maratha Mandir. Playing. Every day. Since 1995. Fans love it.
You might think you’ve seen it all in DDLJ. Raj, Simran, the songs, yes, we all know them. But there’s a lot behind the camera that most people have no clue about. Some of it was luck. Some of it Shah Rukh Khan just winging it. And some… well, Aditya Chopra being a little crazy. Here’s the stuff nobody really tells you.
How Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge became a Bollywood legend: 10 untold stories Youtube Screengrab
1. Raj almost had a totally different face
Aditya Chopra literally imagined an American guy and an Indian girl and had Tom Cruise in mind. But then his dad, Yash Chopra, stepped in and said, “Nope, Indian boy.” And then the story completely changed. Suddenly, it wasn’t Hollywood, but NRIs, family, love, and all the cultural stuff that actually hits you in the gut.
2. Kirron Kher named the film
That long, unforgettable title? Shah Rukh Khan thought it was clunky. But the rookie director, Aditya, heard it from Kirron Kher and went with his gut. And yes, she got a credit in the opening titles.
3. Script written in a month
Three years of thinking, then all of a sudden, the final script was done in three or four weeks. Can you imagine? The blueprint for the biggest romantic film of the ’90s, completed in less than a month.
4. Accidental magic
That pigeon-feeding scene with Amrish Puri? Totally improvised by Shah Rukh. Even Kajol’s shocked face in Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane was not planned. Aditya kept it a secret to get a real reaction. And it worked big time. Fans don’t even know half the story behind that moment.
5. Director hiding in a car
During the Zurich car ride, Aditya wasn’t just lurking behind the camera. No. He was lying flat in the back of the red convertible, flat out of frame, watching every move. Can you imagine lying like that for hours? Wild.
6. Raj’s leather jacket wasn’t a costume
Raj’s iconic leather jacket? The one every guy copied? Uday Chopra just bought it from a Harley shop in California and cost 400 bucks. Not a big fancy wardrobe magic, it was just a cool jacket he found.
7. Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhnaalmost didn’t happen
That wedding song everyone hums? Almost didn’t exist. It got added at the very last second, borrowed from another Yash Raj project. Imagine weddings without it!
8. Kajol’s towel moment
Kajol wasn’t a fan of that towel scene. She seriously didn’t want to shoot it, but the director insisted. And that white skirt in the song? The director said it looked frumpy. Manish Malhotra, the designer, had to take scissors and cut it shorter on the spot.
9. Shah Rukh’s prophecy
After reading the script, Shah Rukh told Yash Chopra: “This will define my stardom.” And he nailed it. Spot on.
10. The first “making of” documentary
Before YouTube, before making-of reels, they aired a half-hour documentary on Doordarshan.
Chaudhary Baldev Singh Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Shah Rukh Khan Kajol www.easterneye.biz
24*7- for 365 days
And then there's Maratha Mandir. This old theater in Mumbai. It's still showing the film. Every. Single. Day. For 30 years. Tickets are 50 rupees. Fans go to watch it like a ritual, some book the gallery for birthdays or anniversaries. People even fly in from abroad. Iconic, right?
30 years later, Raj and Simran are on stage in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical in Manchester. 18 original English songs. Same story. Same magic. New audience. And people are loving it.
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