India, Oct. 20 -- This October 20 marked three decades since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge first came to our screens, yet the love for the film continues to grow with every generation. Looking back at the phenomenon, actor Anupam Kher, who played the role of actor Shah Rukh Khan's father, says he always knew the film would be extraordinary. "It's not about how many years it ran, but the fact that it changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema. That's what makes it a cult film," the 70-year-old says. Reminiscing about the film's premiere, Anupam shares an unforgettable moment: "When the screening ended, there was complete silence for almost a minute as everyone was just absorbing what they had witnessed. And then, the whole theatre erupted in applause. It was a standing ovation that just didn't end. That's when we knew this film had touched something deeper." The film, directed by Aditya Chopra, broke several cinematic conventions, especially the idea of a rebellious hero defying parents, and Anupam's portrayal of a cool, supportive father became an instant favourite. "People still tell me, 'I wish my father were like you in DDLJ.' Before that, audiences had never seen such a father on screen; someone who was a friend, a motivator, and not just an authority figure. DDLJ gave the '90s its coolest father figure," he laughs. The actor further adds that his bond with actors Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol has remained unchanged over the years. "Back then, there were no vanity vans, no mobile phones, no managers or security guards. We built relationships with our hearts, not our schedules. We knew each other's strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. Those connections were real," he says, adding, "I always say some relationships are like a pause button, you just press play and continue from where you left off." Reflecting on how the industry has evolved since then, Anupam notes, "Every era has its beauty. In those days, we had time to build personal relationships because there were no distractions. Today's generation has other advantages - information, access, technology. We didn't have Google or ChatGPT... I've learned more from technology now than I ever did before," he ends....