Nobody expected that the movie will be a blockbuster, but a lot changed especially for the lead pair Sharukh Khan and Kajol, and debutant director Aditya Chopra, the elder son of Yash Chopra, after the release. The film opened to packed houses and rave reviews. The results were more encouraging than anyone could have anticipated. "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" turned out to be a gold spinner for the Chopras.

The story was a typical Hindi love story theme where the boy-meets-girl-and-love prevails-over-parental-displeasure, however, there were also fresh, new elements. A crackling script and the rolling hills of Switzerland competing with the green mustard fields of rural Punjab became a landmark. The creative combination of different styles of music by the music director duo 'Jatin-Lalit' added more popularity.

As of 13th April 2007, the film made the record books being the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema, by completing 600 weeks of continuous play in Maratha Mandir, a Mumbai cinema hall, breaking 'Sholay's' record of 5 years continuous play. The movie is still showing there.