Mumbai: Marking the 30th year of Yash Raj Films’ landmark blockbuster, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a new bronze statue in Leicester Square, celebrating their iconic roles in one of the most loved films of Indian cinema, Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Marking the 30th year of Yash Raj Films’ landmark blockbuster, the new bronze statue depicts central characters Raj and Simran in an iconic pose and celebrates the film’s lasting impact on pop culture among South Asians worldwide.
The bronze statue becomes the first Indian film to be honored with a statue in London’s Leicester Square and joins iconic characters from historical films including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington and Singin’ in the Rain, as well as heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Speaking at the launch, Shah Rukh Khan said, “DDLJ was made with a true heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can overcome obstacles and how the world would be a better place if there was a lot of love, and I think that’s why DDLJ has had a lasting impact more than 30 years later! Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it’s a joy to watch this film and to have Kajol and I love it after its release. Getting so much love from.”
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“I am grateful to the people of the United Kingdom and the Heart of London Business Alliance for celebrating DDLJ and immortalizing us in such a spirit. Seeing DDLJ become the first Indian film to be honored at the prestigious Scenes in the Square Trail is an emotional moment and it brought back a lot of memories. I feel very proud to know that the film has been embraced across the world, and I wish to express this moment to the entire cast and crew of DDLJ, my friend and director Aditya Chopra and This is a moment I want to share with the Yash Raj Films family!”
Reflecting on what this honor means to her, Kajol said, “It’s incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge receiving so much love even after 30 years. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history – a story that has lived on across generations.” “In such an important place for DDLJ, seeing it find its rightful place in Leicester Square makes this moment even more special.
For the film to be honored in this manner in the UK – the first Indian film to receive such recognition – is something that will forever remain in the hearts and minds of all DDLJ fans around the world. I am grateful to everyone who has kept our film in their hearts for so many years.” Both Bollywood megastars, along with Yash Raj Films CEO Akshay Vidhini and Heart of London Business Alliance chief executive Ross Morgan were also present at the unveiling.
Vidhani said, “As an Indian studio that has been on a mission to tell heart-touching Indian stories to the world for over 50 years, it is a very proud moment to see DDLJ honored in the United Kingdom on the occasion of its 30th release year. To be the first Indian film to be immortalized as a statue at a historic place like Leicester Square is truly a humbling moment for us as a company. Along with Hollywood icons like Mary Poppins, Gene Kelly and Harry Potter “This tribute reflects the cultural impact DDLJ has had across the world, including the UK, and we look forward to continuing to entertain people globally with inspiring stories from our incredible country.”
For the uninitiated, DDLJ tells the story of two NRIs Raj and Simran who fall in love while traveling through Europe and India, starting by train from King’s Cross Station. The location couldn’t be more apt, with DDLJ featuring the scene in Leicester Square when Raj and Simran cross paths for the first time, unaware of each other, before setting off on their European adventure.
Appropriately, the square’s two cinemas feature prominently in this scene, with Raj seen in front of the View Cinema and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square. Upon its release in 1995, DDLJ soon became a global phenomenon and a defining cultural touchstone for South Asian communities around the world.
The statue marks the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the film, which continues to break records in the Indian cinema world even today. Since its release, DDLJ has become the longest-running film in the history of Hindi cinema, with even President Obama mentioning DDLJ during his official visit to India.
The film’s legacy in the UK also continued with a new stage adaptation, Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, which ran in Manchester earlier this year.