It’s been 20 years since ‘Veer-Zaara’ graced the screens, yet the film’s legacy feels as fresh as ever. This masterpiece by Yash Chopra is not just a movie; it’s an emotion. For countless fans across India, Pakistan, and beyond, ‘Veer-Zaara’ continues to embody the beauty of love without boundaries, a story that transcends generations and borders. As Preity Zinta’s character Zaara Hayaat Khan says, “love—no matter how impossible—transcends time, culture, and nationality.”
In ‘Veer-Zaara’, Shah Rukh Khan’s Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh and Preity Zinta’s Zaara Hayaat Khan fall for each other despite impossible odds, as said by Charles Dickens, “against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.” And Shah Rukh and Preity delivered such conviction in their roles that this seemingly impossible love story felt both real and relatable, even today.
On the film’s 20th anniversary, Preity shared a touching tribute on social media, reflecting on the impact of the film and the lessons she drew from it about “love that’s selfless and timeless.” Her heartfelt post recalled her gratitude for being a part of a story that moved hearts across the globe.
She captioned, “Wow! It’s been 20 years since #VeerZaara! Still feels like yesterday! This film taught me about love that’s selfless and timeless. I’m so grateful to have been a part of this beautiful love story that touched hearts across the world. Thank you for all the love you’ve given to #VeerZaara. Much love to my amazing co-stars, the wonderful crew, and, of course, to YOU, the fans, who made this movie so special! Here’s to timeless love, unforgettable memories, and 20 years of Veer Zaara! #20YearsOfVeerZaara#Memories#Ting,”
One of Veer-Zaara’s lasting legacies is its unforgettable soundtrack, crafted by the late Madan Mohan and brought to life by legendary voices like Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan. Songs like ‘Tere Liye’, ‘Aisa Des Hai Mera’, and ‘Do Pal’ didn’t just add to the film; they were the soul of the story. These songs became iconic, carrying the emotions of Veer and Zaara’s love, longing, and sacrifice to audiences worldwide.
‘Tere Liye’ – ‘Veer Zaara’
So what made ‘Veer-Zaara’ a cult classic? ‘Veer-Zaara’ is more than a story about love between an Indian and a Pakistani. As Pakistani filmmaker Savy Ali noted in a conversation with ETimes, “The film’s success was not because it was an Indo-Pak love story but because it was a great love story. Yash Chopra told a very human story, and that’s why it resonates. The film’s universal appeal also lay in Chopra’s respectful portrayal of both cultures. Unlike many other films set against the India-Pakistan backdrop, ‘Veer-Zaara’ did not rely on stereotypes or cast Pakistan in a negative light. Instead, it painted a picture of shared humanity, creating a cinematic bridge between the two nations.”
With a stellar cast that included Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Rani Mukerji, Boman Irani, Kirron Kher, and the late Zohra Sehgal, each role added depth and nuance to this moving love story. Actress Divya Dutta, who played Shabbo, reflected on how Veer-Zaara gave her a new identity. She shared that despite her initial hesitation, director Aditya Chopra’s encouragement convinced her that her role would be memorable. “I tasted stardom for the first time,” she shared, recalling fans asking “Ye ladki kaha se aayi hei” at the film’s premiere.
She shares exlusively with ETimes, “I think ‘Veer Zara’ releasing internationally is a very beautiful thing. To have been part of a cult film, which has been spoken about for years ever since it was released, to be releasing worldwide is a huge thing for the audience, I guess. Because to watch this film on big screens is magic of its own. And I think I was very lucky to have been a part of this kind of beautiful film. Very interesting incidents. I remember I was pretty apprehensive about taking up Shabbo because I thought there were so many people in this and it wasn’t really the lead role; it was a friend’s role. I thought I’m going to be, you know, just typecast for life because this is the biggest production house, and then Aditya Chopra told me that if it was an ordinary role, we wouldn’t have called you, so you will always be remembered for this beautiful role, and I think his words were very prophetic, and wherever I go today, ‘Veer Zara’ is mentioned and spoken about. I think in many unassuming ways, I always wanted to be launched by Yash Chopra. So in many unassuming ways, I think I was very unconventionally relaunched.”
“I remember when I told my mother that there’s a gamut of stars in ‘Veer Zara’ and she said that you are with the best of people, with a very beautiful role. It is not romancing the hero, but have a very beautiful role, do it so well, and add an X factor so that people always remember you. I guess how its been, and when I got out of the premiere, everyone said, Who is this girl? Where do you get her? They asked Yash uncle,” she recalls.
She further added, “My mother said you have a great opportunity of doing the role, and Adi (Chopra) made it a point to get my dialect right from all the way from Pakistan. The look was looked into beautifully, and how effortless Yash uncle directed. It was amazing, and I think I tasted Stardom for the first time when I got out of the premiere. Interval I was surrounded by people who were asking Yash uncle, ‘Ye ladki kaha se aayi hei’. So after being in the industry for 6-7 years already, I was re-introduced in many ways. And the love I got for ‘Veer Zaara’ has been amazing and unparallel. This one and ‘Bhaag Milkha’ are two milestones in my life. And never did I think that Shambo was going to become this popular and so much love would come my way.”
Sharing her experience on sets, Divya revealed, “On the sets it was just too much fun; Shah Rukh will always be my favorite star, co-actors. He’s very helpful, very jovial, and charming, and he has a knack of looking over you without you knowing that. That’s beautiful, and I loved him so much on the set. I had lots of scenes with him, Preity, and the most amazing Zohra Sehgal. She was an amazing prankster and so naughty at her age. It was adorable. And of course being choreographed by Saroj Khan, directed by Yash Chopra. Being in the midst of all these legends, I think it’s beautiful. I realized we need such a gem that is being loved through the generations through all mediums. Veer Zaara is a cult.”
There are many such instances from the sets. Not just Divya, but all the actors associated may have something interesting to share about the film. We stumble upon an old video talking about Rani Mukerji’s on-set experience, where she got scolded by Yash Chopra as she kept on laughing looking at Shah Rukh Khan’s gray hair.
Watch the story below:
When Rani Mukerji was scolded by Yash Chopra on ‘Veer Zaara’ sets because she kept laughing at Shah Rukh Khan – Full story inside
The film’s legacy and its re-release success
Veer-Zaara became one of Bollywood’s highest-grossing films upon its 2004 release, earning over ₹94 crore globally. Its re-release 20 years later has also been a success, drawing fans both old and new to theaters to experience this iconic love story on the big screen.
Trade analyst Raj Bansal praised the film’s cross-border appeal, saying, “It’s the first picture to have an international re-run. It’s a musical blockbuster. Number one. Number 2, it was directed by Yash Chopra, the king of romance, and it became very popular overseas, and to top it all, it has SRK. combined with Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, and Anupam Kher. So everything adds to this film, and I don’t have the overseas figure, but I am sure it must have done very well. When you talk about movies going borders, it’s normal movies like ‘Gadar’ or any others; it’s all about war or hatred between the two countries. This film beautifully portrayed the love story of two countries, and it conveyed that there are no boundaries for love, and that has played a major role in getting into audiences all across. Maybe a Muslim, maybe a Pakistani, maybe an Indian, maybe Hindu, hindu, an American. Each and everyone. Such love stories, everyone gets connected. That’s the major factor. Everywhere the movie did wonderfully well, overseas, Pakistan, India, everywhere. It was so well received, and it was a blockbuster.”
This 20-year milestone reminds us that some stories, like Veer and Zaara’s, will forever endure. They remind us that love knows no boundaries and that great cinema will always leave a lasting impact. Veer-Zaara is not just a film; it’s a testament to the enduring power of love.
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