Bollywood's love story still going strong after 30 years

India's longest-running film celebrates 30 years in the same cinema today, a Bollywood romance so beloved that fans know it simply by its acronym DDLJ.

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First released on 20 October, 1995, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or The Brave Hearted Will Take the Bride has been running daily at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theatre since its debut.

"I have seen it about 30 times... and I will continue watching it," said Mohammad Shakir, 60, smiling as he bought another 40 rupee (about R10) ticket.

The film, which catapulted Shah Rukh Khan to superstardom and redefined modern Hindi romance, still weaves its magic.

Every day at 11.30am, audiences gather for a nostalgic escape and to relive the story of young love defying tradition.

"The weekday crowd typically consists of college students and young couples," said cinema head Manoj Desai.

"On Sundays, you will find around 500 people, even after 30 years."