This week sees Yash Raj Films celebrate 16 years of the eternal romance Veer-Zaara — a story about an Indian man and a Pakistan woman, where, despite the border between them, their love knew no bounds.
Yash Chopra’s directorial Veer-Zaara starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukerji completed its 16 year anniversary as of yesterday.
The movie was a blockbuster at the box office and SRK, Zinta and Mukerji went on to win multiple awards for their performance in the movie. Including Filmfare Awards, Global Indian Film Awards and Zee Cine Awards.
On their social media platforms, YRF shared a commemorative poster that marked 16 years of the film’s release and tweeted: “An eternal love story. An absolute masterpiece. #16YearsOfVeerZaara“
An eternal love story. An absolute masterpiece. #16YearsOfVeerZaara pic.twitter.com/EJcePkb5nv
— Yash Raj Films (@yrf) November 12, 2020
Taking to Twitter to share her indebtedness to the project and cast, Zinta posted a compilation video from the film and tweeted a heartfelt caption: 1/2 “Working with Yash Uncle on this labour of love was an incredible privilege & my most beautiful cinematic experience. I am forever grateful & indebted to him for making me part of Veer Zaara & for showering me with so much love & attention. Miss you Yash Uncle.”
2/2 “Thank you Adi @iamsrk Rani @BajpayeeManoj @KirronKherBJP @divyadutta25 & to the entire cast n crew for making this film what it is. #VeerZaara #Timeless #LoveLegend #Memories #Ting #16YearsOfVeerZaara”
Working with Yash Uncle on this labour of love was an incredible privilege & my most beautiful cinematic experience. I am forever grateful & indebted to him for making me part of Veer Zaara & for showering me with so much love & attention. Miss you Yash Uncle❤️#16YearsOfVeerZaara pic.twitter.com/IP8HodJQsd
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) November 12, 2020
While you’re here, let’s take a look at lesser-known facts about the film.
- Initially titled ‘Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum’
There’s no forgetting the song Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum from Chopra’s directorial Silsila. It is said that Chopra wanted to title the film Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum, but later decided on Veer-Zaara. - Preity Zinta was not the first choice for the film
The dimpled-cheeked actress wasn’t the first choice for the role. Reportedly, Chopra had offered the film to Kajol, but the actress rejected the film, and Zinta got the part. - A role not written for Rani Mukerji
Mukerji’s performance as ‘Saamiya Siddiqui’ is regarded as one of the best performances of her career where she also won awards. However, the character was written with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in mind, who after rejecting the offer, fell on Mukerji’s doorstep. - Saamiya Siddiqui’s character was inspired by a real-life lawyer
Mukerji’s character in the film was inspired by real-life Pakistan activist and lawyer Asma Jehangir. - Ajay Devgn was supposed to be a part of Veer-Zaara
Manoj Bajpayee had a cameo in the film. He played the character of Zaara’s fiancé. But not many would know that Ajay Devgn was offered that role, but he decided to not star in the film, and Bajpayee was roped in.
Watch the trailer for Veer-Zaara here and relive the eternal tale of boundless love.
“Veer-Zaara is a saga of love, separation, courage and sacrifice. A love that is divine, a love that is whole-hearted, a love that is completely consuming, a love that grows with separation & deepens with sacrifice.
A love that is an inspiration… and will remain a legend forever.” – YRF
