It’s been 16 years since the release of Veer-Zaara. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, the film was an epic love story featuring heavy themes like sacrifice, courage and separation. The film has gained legendary status among its fans owing to its supreme soundtrack, stunning chemistry of the leads and the perfect combination of realism and emotions.
On the 16th Anniversary of Veer-Zaara, we bring you some lesser-known facts about this film:
1. Veer-Zaara is one of the few films which not only has its own soundtrack but also background score. Composed by the late Madan Mohan, the songs were purposefully designed to suit the era the story was set in.
2. Rani Mukherjee had an important role to play in the film. Her character Saamiya Siddiqui was based on a real Pakistani human rights activist named Asma Jehangir, she was also a lawyer.
3. All the scenes with the backdrop of the jail where Shah Rukh Khan’s character is imprisoned were all shot in one day!
4. The film was originally supposed to be called ‘Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum’, based on the title of the song from the film ‘Silsila’ (1981). However, director of the film, Yash Chopra felt the name’Veer-Zaara’ suits the film better.
5. Preity Zinta was often seen in westernized characters on the silver screens. Director Yash Chopra wanted her as the lead so that she can break through that image.