27 years of Pardes: Look back at Shah Rukh Khan's romantic drama and its memorable tracks

27 years have passed, and even now, Hindi song lovers won't stop humming Yeh Dil Deewana by Sonu Nigam from the film Pardes. Yes, the 1997 Subhash Ghai helmed, produced, and co-wrote romantic drama musical film has hit a milestone today. With Shah Rukh Khan, debutante Mahima Chaudhry, and debutant Apurva Agnihotri in the lead roles, the film features supporting performances by Alok Nath, Amrish Puri, and Himani Shivpuri. Now is the perfect time to get online and watch Pardes commemorate its anniversary with chart-buster tracks and charming SRK. You can stream the film on Prime Video and ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium).

Pardes plot overview

In the film, Rajiv (Apurva Agnihotri), Kishorilal's (Amrish Puri) American-Indian son, wants to marry an Indian woman, so the rich NRI Kishorilal sends his nephew Arjun, played by Shah Rukh Khan, to find a suitable spouse. As his future wife, Kishorilal chooses Ganga (Mahima Chaudhary), the stunning daughter of his old friend. Despite Ganga's realisation of the cultural gap between herself and her American fiancé Rajiv, she remains steadfast in her Indian values. Arjun joins her battle, acting as a catalyst. When he helps her return to India, they start to question if their fate is to be together.

ALSO READ: Subhash Ghai opens up about tiff with Shah Rukh Khan in Pardes, calls Jackie Shroff ‘bad actor’

On August 8, 1997, Pardes had its theatrical debut in India. Critics praised the soundtrack and the performances of SRK, Chaudhry, and Agnihotri, but criticised the story and screenplay. Overall, the reviews were divided. Not only was it a commercial triumph, but it also ranked fourth in 1997 for Bollywood films, after Dil To Pagal Hai (which also starred SRK), Border, and Ishq, with a global gross of over ₹409 million.

Music and soundtrack

Anand Bakshi wrote the lyrics, and Nadeem-Shravan composed the soundtrack. K.S. Chithra's rendition of a Hindi song by Nadeem-Shravan was exclusive to this album. Unfortunately for Ghai, the film's budget couldn't accommodate A. R. Rahman, who he had hoped would compose the score. But for Ghai's subsequent film, Taal (1999), they worked together.

For the uninitiated, the Telugu version of the film Pelli Kanuka (1998) featured Banumathi Ramakrishna, Lakshmi, and Jagapati Babu. 

Just before India celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence, Pardes hit the big screen.

ALSO READ: Pardes turns 24: Shah Rukh Khan, Mahima Chaudhry’s musical drama is a crash course on deshbhakti and toxic masculinity