In the 90s, Ajay Devgn starred in numerous films that blended action with compelling love stories. Among these was ‘Diljale,’ a film still cherished by many. The movie, known for its patriotic themes and Devgn’s romance, features memorable dialogues that are now popular memes on social media. Sonali Bendre starred in the film, showcasing her beauty, but she wasn’t the initial choice for the role.
According to IMDb, the makers of ‘Diljale’ first offered the lead role to Ajay Devgn, who had previously worked with them in the successful film ‘Dilwale’ (1994). They offered him a second film, but the actress initially chosen was Juhi Chawla. However, due to her commitments to films like ‘Yes Boss’ and ‘Mastana,’ she was unable to provide the necessary dates. Consequently, Sonali Bendre was offered the role, and she accepted.
‘Diljale’ was directed by Harry Baweja and produced by Harry and his wife, Paramjeet Baweja, also known as Pammi Baweja. The film starred Ajay Devgn in the lead, alongside Sonali Bendre, Amrish Puri, Madhoo, Parmeet Sethi, Farida Jalal, Shakti Kapoor, and Gulshan Grover in key roles.
Reports indicate that ‘Diljale’ had a budget of 5 crore, while its worldwide collection reached 15.80 crore, making it a hit. Ajay Devgn’s performance was highly praised. The makers cast him as the lead in ‘Diljale’ after ‘Dilwale’ and in several subsequent films.
The film ‘Diljale’ featured hit songs such as ‘Mera Mulk Mera Desh,’ ‘Ho Nahin Sakta,’ ‘Shaam Hai Dhuan Dhuan,’ and ‘Jiske Aane Se.’ The story revolves around Radhika (Sonali Bendre), the daughter of a wealthy businessman and politician, Raja Saab (Shakti Kapoor), who falls in love with her college friend, Shyam (Ajay Devgn). Raja Saab disapproves and seeks to ruin Shyam by imprisoning and then murdering his patriotic father.
Shyam is falsely accused of his father’s murder and flees to prove his innocence, but Raja Saab, with the help of the government, has him declared a wanted terrorist. The film then explores how the story unfolds and how the truth is revealed to Radhika. The film is available on G5 with a subscription and on YouTube for free.