Ask any Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) fan, and they will tell you that apart from the unforgettable train-climax scene, the most iconic moment in the film is Simran running through the mustard fields to Raj. The scene, etched in Indian cinema’s memory, represents love, courage, and cinematic magic. But few know the story behind how that moment almost didn’t happen—until Shah Rukh Khan himself stepped i
A hiccup in Haryana’s mustard fields
In the early 1990s, Gurugram was a far cry from the bustling metropolis it is today. It was a landscape dominated by sprawling farmlands, particularly mustard fields. When the DDLJ crew arrived to shoot the romantic song Tujhe Dekha To, they faced an unexpected hurdle.
Despite obtaining permission from the local panchayat, the film team found themselves in the wrong field. The farmer who owned the land was furious that the crew had entered without his consent, especially since their equipment and staff were trampling through the crops.
Aditya Chopra, who was directing his first film, later recalled the incident with amusement. “We had the panchayat’s permission, but the landowner came charging at us, saying, ‘I don’t care about your panchayat!’ — and in much stronger words,” he laughed.
Shah Rukh Khan steps in with his Haryanvi charm
This is where Shah Rukh Khan’s quick thinking and natural ease with people saved the day. Being a Delhi boy, Khan was familiar with the local Haryanvi dialect and mannerisms. Seeing the rising tension, he decided to personally talk to the upset farmers.
“Thoda ne karne do bhai, kar ke nikal lenge [Let us shoot for a bit, we’ll be done soon],” Shah Rukh reportedly said in fluent Haryanvi, calming the situation. He also cracked jokes to lighten the mood. In one instance, he quipped, “Main bhi kisan hoon. Main kya hero lag raha hoon tujhe? [I’m a farmer too. Do I look like a hero to you?]”
His humble attitude and sense of humour won over the locals, and the crew was finally allowed to continue shooting. Within hours, the team captured one of Indian cinema’s most enduring visuals—Raj and Simran reuniting amidst golden fields.
The making of an immortal scene
The mustard field sequence, shot under the golden Haryana sun, went on to become one of the defining images of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The song Tujhe Dekha To not only captured the essence of 1990s romance but also immortalised Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as one of Bollywood’s most beloved on-screen pairs.
The film, produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by a young Aditya Chopra, went on to become a blockbuster, redefining romance in Hindi cinema and marking the birth of a new kind of Bollywood hero — one who was charming, respectful, and deeply rooted in Indian values.
More than just an actor
Now, as Shah Rukh Khan celebrates his 60th birthday in Alibaug, the story is a reminder of his dedication to his craft and his warmth beyond the screen. Whether playing Raj or talking to villagers in a field, Khan has always approached people with authenticity and respect.
He wasn’t just acting in DDLJ; he was living every part of its making — from convincing farmers to letting the cameras roll to creating cinematic history that still resonates three decades later.