Heart of London Business Alliance today announced a new statue will be joining the exciting ‘Scenes in the Square’ movie trail in Leicester Square. And the film is none other than one of the most iconic films of Bollywood. A film that has inspired filmmakers across generations. It is Yash Raj Films’ historic blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. This makes it the first-ever statue honouring Indian cinema to be erected in London. This will mark the start of 30-year celebrations of DDLJ, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Fareeda Jalal, Amrish Puri and Anupam Kher, among others. The timeless and multi-award-winning rom-com also marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra.
The bronze statue will depict SRK and Kajol in an iconic DDLJ pose. Set to be unveiled in Spring this year, today’s announcement signifies how the film is loved by the over five million strong British South Asian community. DDLJ is a pop culture milestone for India and South Asians globally. The new statue will be positioned along the eastern terrace, outside the Odeon Cinema, honouring this scene. Other London locations featured in the film include Horseguards Avenue, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge and King’s Cross Station. DDLJ will be next to iconic film characters like Harry Potter, Laurel & Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Mr. Bean, Paddington and DC Super-Heroes Batman and Wonder Woman.
About Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge follows two non-resident Indians, Raj and Simran, and their star-crossed love story across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross Station. The location couldn’t be more fitting, with Leicester Square featuring in DDLJ in a scene when Raj and Simran first cross paths, albeit unbeknown to one another, before setting off on their European adventure. Fittingly, the scene features two of the square’s cinemas, with Raj seen in front of the Vue Cinema and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.
The film has left a lasting impact on Indian cinema, becoming such a global phenomenon that even Barack Obama, the then-president of the United States, referenced it on his official state visit to India. In the UK, the film’s cultural significance remains, with a new musical based on DDLJ, Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical, set to start at the Manchester Opera House on 29th May 2025.
See Also: When Aditya Chopra did not want to work with Saroj Khan in DDLJ
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