A face-off between two generations lived forever…18 years of Mohabbatein

By Rohit Bhatnagar

on October 27, 2018

When a film is announced by Yash Raj Films, anticipation is bound to happen and 18 years ago, Mohabbatein redefined love on silver screen. Director Aditya Chopra took a long sabbatical after his debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge that released in 1995 and brought a love story that lived forever. Probably it is the only film that beautified autumn season so well. The dry leaves flowing all over in slow motion was enchanting to look on celluloid.

[caption id="attachment_157419" align="alignnone" width="767"] Poster of Mohabbatein[/caption]

Along with three stalwarts of the industry – Amitabh Bachchan's comeback on the silver screen joined by Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai, Aditya launched six newcomers including his younger brother Uday Chopra who romanced actress Shilpa Shetty’s younger sister Shamita. Although, Jugal Hansraj marked his acting debut in 1996 with Papa Kehte Hai but he revamped his career all over again with this film. Kim Sharma played his love interest in it. Popular couple of Rajshri’s music album Yeh Hai Prem, Jimmy Sheirgill and Preeti Jhangiani also debuted with Mohabbatein.

Amrish Puri, Shefali Shah, Anupam Kher, Archana Puran Singh, Saurabh Shukla, and Helen also had brief yet important roles in the film.

[caption id="attachment_157417" align="aligncenter" width="564"] Uday Chopra, Shamita Shetty, Jugal Hansraj, Kim Sharma, Jimmy Sheirgill and Preeti Jhangiani in Mohabbatein[/caption]

The film was ahead of its times in many ways. It not only populated the 'Gurukul' culture but also showed one of its own kinds of clash between hero and the villain from two different generations. It was the first film where Bachchan and Shah Rukh were seen together. It was also rumoured that Sridevi was approached to play the love interest of Amitabh Bachchan but the actress turned down the offer. Longleat house in England was used to shot Gurukul in the film along with few portions were shot in Cambridge and Oxford universities.

[caption id="attachment_157418" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A still from the film[/caption]

The film was also appreciated for its music. Interestingly, Aditya also launched six new playback singers to voice six fresh faces. Songs like Aankhein Khuli, Pairon Mein Bandhan Hai, Soni Soni became popular overnight which were penned by late Anand Bakshi and composed by Jatin-Lalit. The film went onto become successful both critically and commercially. However, that same year, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai proved to be the biggest hit but Mohabbatein had its own share of victories in awards shows.

We wish Mohabbatein a very happy 18^thanniversary.