Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol inaugurated a bronze statue of Raj and Simran in London’s Leicester Square to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Yash Raj Films’ epic film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The bronze statue of them is famous since it was the first Indian movie to be honored with a statue in Leicester Square, joining heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman, as well as legendary figures from classic movies like Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin’ in the Rain.

The bronze monument features Raj and Simran in a famous pose from Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the longest-running Hindi movie ever! This occasion honors the movie’s enduring influence on South Asian pop culture across the globe.

SRK said, “To be honest, I had no clue DDLJ would become this phenomenon! I feel really privileged and appreciative to have been a part of this cinematic experience. To be honest, I don’t think any of us could have predicted that DDLJ would become so beloved. I’m sure Adi (Aditya Chopra) and everyone else thought it would be a good movie that everyone would like, but I doubt anyone could have predicted what it turned out to be or what it stands for.

Shah Rukh Khan emphasized the importance of DDLJ’s statue in London, and added, “It’s incredibly personal for both of us (Kajol & Him) and for the Indian Film fraternity. In a sense, London in the UK is much responsible for our fame because, although we were performing well domestically like other actors, I believe we began to perform much better abroad, and the UK was the largest market at the time. Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar were then ADs, and it began as a group of young people making DDLJ. We traveled for 30 to 40 days and had a great time, especially in Switzerland and England. It was quite a free-wheeling, handheld shot, especially here in Leicester Square. We completed a brief scene and got away with it without even telling anyone. I believe that this is a moment of pride for Indian cinema, and it’s appropriate that it took place in the UK, which initiated the global recognition of Indian cinema”.

“It’s been 30 years and we are happy to say it’s the longest running film not just in India but in the world, and it’s actually gone into the Guinness Book of World Records, so we’re really excited to be a part of it. We didn’t intend for DDLJ to become a worldwide phenomenon for South Asians and Indians, in my opinion. I believe that DDLJ has evolved into something of a touchstone for Indians residing overseas” said Kajol.

Kajol discussed how the statue will make Indians and South Asians proud not only in the UK but also around the world, and added, “I think for all Indians who live in the UK or come here, it might become a moment to go see the statue, to recognise their nostalgia for the film, and there is also a familiarity and a massive pull towards it. So I’m hoping that everyone feels at home when they see us at Leicester Square”.

DDLJ chronicles the narrative of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians and star-crossed lovers who fall in love while traveling around Europe and India, beginning with a train from King’s Cross station.

The statue’s position could not be more appropriate, as Leicester Square appears in DDLJ in a scene where Raj and Simran first meet, although unexpectedly, before embarking on their European trip. Fittingly, Raj is seen in front of the Vue cinema, while Simran walks by the Odeon Leicester Square.

When DDLJ was released in 1995, it soon became a global phenomenon and a defining cultural touchstone for South Asian cultures worldwide. The statue commemorates the film’s 30th anniversary, which is still playing in India at record-breaking numbers.

Since its debut, DDLJ has become the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history, with even President Obama mentioning it during an official visit to India. The film’s legacy in the UK continued with a new stage adaption, Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical, which premiered in Manchester earlier this year.

Priyanka Dutta