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Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol’s DDLJ Tribute Bronze Statue Unveiled At London’s Leicester Square (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Marking the 30th year of Yash Raj Films’ epic blockbuster, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square yesterday. The bronze statue of them is iconic because it is the first-ever Indian film to be honoured with a statue at Leicester Square, as it joined cult characters from historic films, including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin’ in the Rain, as well as heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman.

What The Bronze Statue Depicts

The bronze statue depicts a moment from the longest-running Hindi film of all time, Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), with Raj & Simran in an iconic pose from the film! This moment celebrates the film’s everlasting impact on pop culture amongst South Asians worldwide.

About how he felt during the launch of the bronze statue, SRK says, “To be honest had no idea DDLJ would become this phenomenon! I’m very fortunate to have been part of cinema like this and very grateful. I think none of us, to be honest, had any idea DDLJ would become this in people’s hearts. I am sure Adi (Aditya Chopra) and all felt it would be a good film and everybody would like it, but I don’t think anyone would have ever imagined what it became and what it stands for.”

Shah Rukh & Kajol On The Significance Of DDLJ’s Statue

Regarding the significance of DDLJ’s statue in London, Shah Rukh Khan highlights, “It’s very personal for both of us (Kajol & Him) and for the Indian Film industry! The UK, London, is quite responsible for our stardom in a way because we were doing well in our country, like other actors, but I think we started doing a lot better overseas, and what was known as oversea,s principally at that time, the biggest market was the UK. It started off as a set of youngsters making DDLJ, Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar were ADs then. It was a fun trip of 30-40 days, and we made it very fast, especially in Switzerland and England … quite a free-wheeling shooting, handheld, especially here in Leicester Square, we didn’t even tell anyone we did a quick scene and got away with it. I think it’s a moment of pride for Indian Cinema and rightly so for this to happen in UK, which started off the trend of Indian film being recognised the world over.”

Kajol adds, “It’s been 30 years, and we are happy to say it’s the longest running film not only in India only in the world, and it’s actually gone into the Guinness Book of World Record,s so super kicked to be a part of it. I don’t think we planned for DDLJ to become a global phenomenon for Indians and South Asians. I think somewhere down the line that DDLJ has become kind of a touchstone for Indians living abroad.”

About how the statue will make Indians an South Asians proud not only in the UK but also across the world, Kajol says, “I think for all Indians who stay 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 there is also a massive pull towards it. So, I’m hoping that everyone feels that touch of home when they see us here in Leicester Square.”

DDLJ tells the story of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians and star-crossed lovers, who fall in love during a trip across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross station.

The Setting Of The Statue At Leicester Square

The location of the statue couldn’t be more fitting, with Leicester Square featuring in DDLJ in a scene when Raj and Simran first cross paths, albeit unbeknownst to one another, before setting off on their European adventure. Fittingly, the scene features two of the square’s cinemas prominently, with Raj seen in front of the Vue cinema, and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.

Upon its 1995 release, DDLJ quickly became a global phenomenon and a defining cultural touchstone for South Asian communities around the globe. The statue marks the 30th anniversary celebrations for the film, which continues its record-breaking cinema run in India today.

Since its release, DDLJ has become the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history, with even President Obama referencing DDLJ during an 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.

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Three decades since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge first lit up the screens, yet the love for the film continues to grow with every generation. Looking back at the phenomenon, actor Anupam Kher, who played the warm and witty father to Shah Rukh Khan’s Raj, says he always knew the film was going to be extraordinary. “Yes, I knew from the beginning that DDLJ was a very special film,” he recalls. “It’s not about how many years it ran, but the fact that it changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema. That’s what makes it a cult film.”

SRK and Anupam Kher

Reminiscing about the film’s premiere, Kher shares an unforgettable moment. “When the screening ended, there was complete silence for almost a minute, it felt like six hours. Everyone was just absorbing what they had witnessed. And then, the whole theatre erupted in applause. It was a standing ovation that just didn’t end. That’s when we knew this film had touched something deeper.”

The film, directed by Aditya Chopra, broke several cinematic conventions especially the idea of a rebellious hero defying parents. “It broke the myth,” says Kher. “Raj waits for the girl’s father’s permission instead of eloping with her. That was revolutionary for its time.”

Among the many memories from the film, one stands out for Anupam Kher, the iconic “Hum toh hindustan mein fail hue the… tune toh London mein fail hoke dikha diya!” scene between him and Shah Rukh Khan. “That scene was special. Shah Rukh is very good with improvisation, and we had a lot of fun experimenting. The entire shoot was full of warmth and camaraderie,” he says.

Anupam’s portrayal of a cool, supportive father became an instant favourite. “People still tell me, ‘I wish my father was like you in DDLJ,’” he laughs. “Before that, audiences had never seen such a father on screen; someone who was a friend, a motivator, and not just an authority figure. DDLJ gave 90s its coolest father figure.”

He further adds, how his bond with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, has not really changed over the years. “Our bond remains the same. Back then, there were no vanity vans, no mobile phones, no managers or security guards. We built relationships with our hearts, not our schedules. We knew each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. Those connections were real,” says Anupam Kher, adding: “I always say some relationships are like a pause button, you just press play and continue from where you left off.”

Despite having started with an iconic role in Saaransh at the age of 28, Kher feels his best work has come in recent years. “I’m doing some of my finest work now. Whether it’s smaller films or bigger ones, I’m enjoying every moment of it.”

Reflecting on how the industry has evolved, Kher notes, “Every era has its beauty. In those days, we had time to build personal relationships because there were no distractions. Today’s generation has other advantages — information, access, technology. We didn’t have Google or ChatGPT,” he laughs. “I’ve learned more from technology now than I ever did before.”

DDLJ

“To Be Honest, I Had No Idea DDLJ Would Become This Phenomenon!…”

What The Bronze Statue Depicts

Shah Rukh & Kajol On The Significance Of DDLJ’s Statue

The Setting Of The Statue At Leicester Square

Anupam Kher on 30 years of DDLJ: The film gave the world the coolest father during 90s