Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol traveled to London to unveil a bronze statue commemorating their iconic roles in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” marking 30 years since the Yash Raj Films blockbuster first captured audiences worldwide.

The statue, depicting the film’s central characters Raj and Simran in a signature pose, was revealed Thursday in Leicester Square, making “DDLJ” the first Indian film to receive such recognition as part of the celebrated Scenes in the Square trail. 

The installation joins statues honoring characters from films including “Harry Potter,” “Mary Poppins,” “Paddington” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

The unveiling was also attended by Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani and Heart of London Business Alliance chief executive Ros Morgan.

“‘DDLJ’ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why ‘DDLJ’ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now,” Khan said at the launch. 

“Personally, ‘DDLJ’ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see the film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released.”

Kajol added: “It’s incredible to see ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history – a story that has truly travelled across generations.”

The Leicester Square location holds particular significance for the film, as the iconic plaza features prominently in an early scene where Raj and Simran unknowingly cross paths before embarking on their European journey. The sequence showcases two of the square’s historic cinemas, with Raj appearing in front of the Vue and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.

Aditya Chopra’s 1995 romantic drama follows two non-resident Indians who fall in love during a trip across Europe and India, beginning their journey at King’s Cross station. The film became a cultural phenomenon upon release and holds the record as the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history, maintaining a theatrical run in India to this day.

“As an Indian studio that has been on a mission to tell heartwarming Indian stories to the world for over 50 years now, it is a huge moment of pride to see ‘DDLJ’ being honoured in the United Kingdom on the occasion of its 30th release year,” said Widhani. 

“Becoming the first Indian film to be immortalized as a statue at a historic location like Leicester Square is truly a humbling moment for us as a company.”

The film’s enduring legacy includes a stage adaptation, “Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical,” which played in Manchester earlier this year.

The statue represents the eleventh character installation in the Scenes in the Square trail, an initiative operated by Heart of London Business Alliance with support from Westminster City Council.

Source: Variety

--Agencies