SRK, Kajol’s ‘DDLJ’ pose to be honoured at Scenes in the Square movie trail in Leicester Square
Bollywood's iconic onscreen duo Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are set to be immortalised in bronze, as their beloved romantic classic "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ) becomes the first Indian film to be honoured at London's celebrated Scenes in the Square movie trail in Leicester Square.
As per Yash Raj Films (YRF), the Heart of London Business Alliance has confirmed that a new statue will soon be added to the trail, commemorating the enduring legacy of "DDLJ". The bronze sculpture will capture the iconic pose of the two megastars from the film, and is scheduled to be unveiled in spring this year.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The announcement also marks the beginning of the 30-year celebrations of "DDLJ", a landmark in Indian cinema that not only redefined the rom-com genre but also marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra.
"DDLJ", which narrates the cross-continental love story of Raj and Simran—two non-resident Indians—continues to enjoy enduring popularity, particularly among the five million-strong British South Asian community, according to YRF.
The story begins on a train from King's Cross Station, unfolding across Europe and India, and has long held a special place in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
The location for the upcoming bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol could not be more symbolic, as London's Leicester Square, featured in "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", served as the very setting where Raj and Simran first crossed paths—unaware of each other—before embarking on their European journey.
According to Yash Raj Films (YRF), the statue will depict the memorable moment with Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) standing in front of the Vue Cinema while Simran (Kajol) walks past the Odeon Leicester Square.
The sculpture will be installed along the eastern terrace outside the Odeon Cinema to commemorate this pivotal scene from "DDLJ".
With this addition, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will join a prestigious line-up of global cinematic legends featured in the 'Scenes in the Square' trail.
The tribute places "DDLJ" alongside ten other film icons spanning a century, including characters such as Harry Potter, Laurel and Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly from "Singin' in the Rain", Mary Poppins, Mr. Bean, Paddington, and superheroes Batman and Wonder Woman.
Mark Williams, Deputy Chief Executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, shared his delight at welcoming Shah Rukh and Kajol to the illustrious ensemble, honouring their enduring impact on international cinema.
He has described the installation of the upcoming "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" statue as "a fitting tribute to Bollywood's global popularity and a celebration of London's rich diversity."
Speaking through a Yash Raj Films (YRF) press release, Williams said, "It's fantastic to have the opportunity to add to our trail Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who are such titans of international cinema. 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' is one of the most successful and important Bollywood films of all time, and we're excited by the prospect of bringing to the trail the first film that actually features Leicester Square as a location."
He added, "The statue is a fitting tribute to the global popularity of Bollywood and a celebration of London's rich diversity. We're in no doubt it will attract fans from all around the world to Leicester Square, the home of film and entertainment."
Akshaye Widhani, Chief Executive Officer of Yash Raj Films, expressed his joy at "DDLJ" becoming the first Indian film to be included in the 'Scenes in the Square' movie.
Widhani shared, "We're thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in 'Scenes in the Square'. It also marks 30 years of 'DDLJ', a film that has spread love and joy globally and shows the cultural impact it has had in the UK."
"We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite—from Gene Kelly to Laurel and Hardy to Harry Potter. This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema," he concluded.
Released in 1995, "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" starred Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles, alongside Amrish Puri and Anupam Kher, among others.
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