DDLJ's iconic love story gets a musical makeover for 30th anniversary
Mumbai: As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of modern railways in 2025, Britain’s railway network is honoring 30 years of the beloved film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ). In a special collaboration with Yash Raj Films (YRF), the initiative will highlight the power of love through a unique UK-India cultural celebration.
DDLJ, one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever, has a deep connection to the UK. The film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, was famously shot in various UK locations, with King’s Cross Railway Station becoming an iconic backdrop. It’s here where the movie’s lead characters first meet and fall in love.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Britain’s railway network and YRF have partnered for a cultural event to showcase the romance of train travel. Along with the 30th anniversary celebrations, YRF is bringing a new musical adaptation of the film, Come Fall in Love - The DDLJ Musical (CFIL), to life. This stage adaptation, directed by Aditya Chopra, will premiere at the Manchester Opera House on May 29, 2025, and run until June 21, 2025.
As part of the collaboration, immersive activations will take place at Manchester and London railway stations, celebrating how love can unite cultures through the magic of Come Fall in Love and the iconic legacy of DDLJ.
"Come Fall in Love - The DDLJ Musical," an English language musical is being directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of DDLJ. It follows Simran, a young British Indian woman who finds herself engaged to a family friend in India in an arranged marriage. However, the plot thickens when she falls in love with a British man named Roger.
The production will feature an original score, complete with 18 English songs. The core team of CFIL is truly an amalgamation of East Meets West! Music is by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, and the book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde).
In a statement, Suzanne Donnelly, Executive Director of Railway 200, shared, “We’re very pleased to partner with Yash Raj Films and celebrate the enduring romance of rail and the power of connection across the world. The railway has long inspired filmmakers and helped to shape our cultural landscape. Its bicentenary this year provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this hugely successful, rail-related Bollywood blockbuster and its new musical opening in the UK this summer.”
Talking about the same Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films stated “We are delighted to collaborate with Railway 200, as part of the railway’s 200th anniversary. YRF has always stood for bringing stories that are rooted in India, yet have a global footprint and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is a testament to that. To celebrate 30 years of DDLJ; we are bringing the stage adaptation of the movie - Come Fall In Love - The DDLJ Musical to the UK! Our musical is set to have its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House on May 29. One of the most iconic scenes of DDLJ was filmed at King’s Cross Railway Station, which we are showcasing in Come Fall In Love! So, this is the perfect moment for us to partner with Railway 200."
Notably, “DDLJ” holds the record as the longest-running film in Indian cinema, having been continuously screened in Mumbai since its release in 1995.
IANS