Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol marked a milestone in London as they unveiled a bronze statue of their Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge characters, Raj and Simran, at Leicester Square. The installation celebrates 30 years of the beloved classic and is the first UK statue honouring an Indian film.
Sharing photos from the event, Shah Rukh Khan penned a heartfelt note: “Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of DDLJ!” He added that he was “incredibly delighted” that DDLJ is the first Indian film to join the Scenes in the Square trail, thanking audiences in the UK for the honour.
“‘DDLJ’ was born out of a pure heart, a story about love breaking barriers, and how the world could be a better place if there was more love in it. I believe this is why it has resonated for over 30 years,” said Shah Rukh Khan.
“‘DDLJ’ is part of my identity. It’s humbling to see the love that Kajol and I continue to receive since its release,” he added, expressing gratitude to the Heart of London Business Alliance for honouring the film and its stars.
“Being the first Indian film featured on the iconic Scenes in the Square trail at Leicester Square is deeply emotional, it brings back so many memories. I feel immense pride that the film is loved around the world. This moment belongs to the entire cast and crew of ‘DDLJ’, my friend and director Aditya Chopra, and the Yash Raj Films family. It’s a memory I will cherish forever.”
Kajol, accompanied by her children Nysa and Yug, posed with Shah Rukh Khan in front of the statue, braving the London rain in a green saree.
“It’s incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge receive so much love even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled felt like reliving a piece of our history, a story that has travelled across generations,” Kajol said. She added that seeing it take its place in Leicester Square, a landmark deeply tied to DDLJ, makes the honour even more meaningful, especially as the first Indian film to receive such recognition in the UK.
The statue, capturing the iconic Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna dance pose, now joins Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Bridget Jones, and Batman on the Scenes in the Square trail.
Released in 1995, DDLJ remains the longest-running film in Hindi cinema, following the beloved NRI love story of Raj and Simran. This year also saw a new milestone with Aditya Chopra’s English-language stage adaptation, ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’, which drew packed audiences in Manchester.
