Keshav Naidu, the editor of the iconic film "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ), has shared his perspective on the often-underappreciated role of technicians in the film industry. In a recent interview, Naidu reflected on his experiences working on DDLJ and other projects, highlighting the disparity in recognition between artists and the technical crew.

Naidu, who has worked on numerous films for Yash Raj Films (YRF), observed that while actors and directors are widely celebrated, the contributions of technicians often go unnoticed. He stated that technicians are like "ordinary passengers coming and going and working on a film, and getting off". According to Naidu, technicians' lives remain largely unchanged even when a film becomes a major success. "Only the actor and director are remembered, the rest of them are forgotten," he said. He acknowledged that occasionally, a successful film might lead to more work for a technician.

Released on October 20, 1995, "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" redefined romance for an entire generation and has become a cultural touchstone in Indian cinema. The film, directed by Aditya Chopra and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, tells the story of Raj and Simran, two young non-resident Indians who fall in love during a vacation in Europe. The film's memorable music, quotable dialogues, and the chemistry between the lead actors have cemented its place as one of the greatest films in Hindi cinema. DDLJ blended traditional Indian values with modern sensibilities.

Naidu worked extensively with the late filmmaker Yash Chopra on films such as "Silsila", "Mashaal", "Chandni", "Lamhe", "Parampara", and "Darr". The 81-year-old editor recalled meeting Aditya Chopra while assisting Yash Chopra and thoroughly enjoyed working with the then-debutant director. He said, "Mr. Chopra had confidence in me that I can carry out the editing work correctly... Any other person would have got the same chance, but I was lucky to be his editor for so many films".

Naidu aimed to fulfill the director's vision, ensuring that every cut supported the storytelling. He also noted that DDLJ did not require excessive cutting, as Yash Raj Films generally avoided too many shots. According to him, what made 'DDLJ' special was the unique unfolding of the romance between Raj and Simran.

Naidu was born in 1944 and began his career in 1971, joining film editor T. Krishna, who worked with South Indian movie director A. Subbarao. He later worked with Chetan Anand on "Kudrat" and joined Yash Raj Films during the making of "Silsila" after being recommended by Mangesh Desai. He received a Life Time Achievement Award from the Dada Saheb Phalke Foundation in 2016.

Naidu said that he knew he was working on something special when he first saw the footage of DDLJ. "The day I saw the footage, I was like this film is history in the making," he recalled. He was impressed by the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, particularly praising Kajol's expressive performance.

While "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" was a significant film in his career, Naidu moved on to work with other directors after its release. He is currently working as a consultant for Prasad Lab, restoring 35mm and 16mm films.