The film then transitions into a lengthy flashback set in Bulgaria. Here, Raj is revealed to be Kaali, the adopted son and ruthless enforcer of an Indian mafia don, Randhir Bakshi. Meera is the daughter of Randhir’s fierce rival, Dev Malik. Kaali and Meera meet under false pretences and fall deeply in love, unaware of each other's true identities. When the truth emerges, they attempt to bridge the gap between their warring families. However, a deep misunderstanding orchestrated by their fathers leads to a violent shootout, leaving both fathers dead and creating an seemingly irreversible rift of betrayal between Kaali and Meera.
Dilwale was released on December 18, 2015, facing a historic box office clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic historical drama Bajirao Mastani . Box Office
The film opens in the underground world of Indian mafia lords in Bulgaria. We meet (Shah Rukh Khan), a feared don with a golden heart, and his younger brother Raj (Varun Dhawan), a mechanical genius. Veer’s world collides with that of Meera (Kajol), the daughter of a rival gang leader (played by Vinod Khanna). Despite their families’ animosity, Veer and Meera fall in love.
Dilwale remains an interesting case study in modern Bollywood. It represents the peak era of the star-driven, big-budget masala entertainer before Indian audiences began shifting their preferences toward content-driven cinema in the late 2010s. While it may not hold the same critical reverence as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge , it successfully capitalized on an era of pure cinematic nostalgia, proving the enduring global marketability of its central star pairing.
The dialogues, penned by Sajid-Farhad, attempt to balance wit and emotion, though critics felt they leaned too heavily on predictable one-liners.
They provided a lighthearted, comedic, and innocent romance that balanced the intense drama between the lead couple.
The action sequences deviated from gritty realism, opting instead for heavily choreographed, slow-motion gunfights and vehicular stunts. The opening sequence involving car chases in Bulgaria set a high technical benchmark for Indian action cinema at the time.
Known for hits like Golmaal and Singham , director Rohit Shetty brought his unique brand of commercial cinema to Dilwale .
The story is a classic tale of forbidden love, dramatic amnesia, and sibling loyalty wrapped in Shetty’s signature car-chase action. The narrative unfolds in two timelines.