Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan surprises DDLJ musical cast in London
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a surprise appearance at a rehearsal for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical in London this week, just days after the planned unveiling of a statue honouring his iconic film was postponed due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The statue, depicting Khan, 59, and co-star Kajol, 50, as their beloved characters Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), was scheduled to be unveiled in Leicester Square on May 7 as part of celebrations marking the film's 30th anniversary.
It will eventually join the 'Scenes in the Square' trail, alongside film icons such as Harry Potter, Gene Kelly, Mary Poppins, and Batman.
DDLJ, released in 1995, remains the longest-running film in Indian cinema, screening continuously in Mumbai since its debut.
The big unveiling was set to include an appearance by Khan, but producers Yash Raj Films announced that it would be delayed until an as yet unconfirmed future date 'out of respect' for the situation overseas.
The night before had seen a deadly escalation in the region with India firing missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, killing at least 26 civilians, according to Islamabad officials.
Pakistan declared the strikes an 'act of war' and responded by shooting down several Indian fighter jets.
India stated that the missile strikes targeted 'terrorist infrastructure' linked to militants involved in last month's massacre of tourists in India-controlled Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistani shelling killed at least seven civilians in the region.
While a US-brokered ceasefire on Saturday helped contain the stand-off, it revived concerns over the fragility of regional stability.
Meanwhile, the musical — set in both the UK and India and directed by original filmmaker Aditya Chopra — is preparing to open in Manchester.
Reflecting on Khan's visit, lead actress Jena Pandya (Simran) said: 'Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honour… it will be a long-lasting memory for me.'
Ashley Day (Rog) called the experience 'unbelievable,' adding: 'He greeted us all with such love and genuine excitement… I can't imagine what it must feel like to see a project—beloved by millions—being reimagined as a musical 30 years later.'
Composers Vishal & Sheykhar also praised the moment. Vishal Dadlani said Khan 'loved the songs, the voices and the energy of the performances,' while Sheykhar Ravjiani noted the actor's emotional connection to theatre, where his career first began: 'The experience is a moment that will be etched in their hearts forever.'
Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical will run from May 29 - June 21 at the Palace Opera House in Manchester with tickets on sale from comefallinlovemusical.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Twilight: Flea & Feast returns from 13-15 Jun at Suntec with food, fashion & free cotton candy
The halal food and flea market inspired by Australia's hawker markets is back for its second edition this year from 13 to 15 Jun at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre Halls 403 & 405. At the Twilight: Flea & Feast, treat yourself to a tantalising selection of food while exploring fashion, beauty products and more from over 200 brands. Beyond shopping, there is a lineup of activities, including screenings, live music shows, arcade games, face painting and bouncy castles to keep the little ones out of your hair. Here are some highlights. Admission is free but you'll have to pay for whatever you buy. Confuzion Foodiez (Booths Y04 & Y05) is shaking things up with its first-ever air ikat tepi (beverage in a plastic bag tied on one side), now in flavours such as chocolate, durian and grape. If you haven't heard of their viral drink, it's time for you to jump onto the hype. Haven't gotten enough of the sweetness from the air ikat tepi? Go over to Zesty Açaí (Booth Z05) for a refreshing treat that's good for your belly and your feed. Their Açaí Bowls are ideal for a post-makan cool-down, topped with fresh fruit, granola and more. From purpose-driven tees to soul-soothing fabrics, Twilight: Flea & Feast is your go-to spot for standout styles. Whether you're shopping for the fit, the fragrance, or the feels, these brands are set to meet you at the intersection of fashion, culture and self-expression. Vendors include Indian fashion wear brand The Fashion Silk (Booth E11), which has a range of styles, from traditional sarees and lehengas to modern western and fusion wear, including plus size options and Whiff SG (Booth M14), which sells affordable perfumes. Twilight: Flea & Feast is partnering with Snap Balloon to give away free cotton candy to the first 100 kids each day. It's the ultimate school holiday outing, so go for the food, fun, shopping and stay for the sugar rush. What to do in Jun 2025: i Light, Flipside, Go Green SG & more The post Twilight: Flea & Feast returns from 13-15 Jun at Suntec with food, fashion & free cotton candy appeared first on
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Never a dull' moment for Glastonbury volunteers
Tickets to the UK's biggest festival are notoriously hard to come by, with hundreds of thousands of fans trying from around the world - and only 210,000 people succeeding. But there are also thousands of people who secure tickets by swapping a few hours a day for shifts to help keep Glastonbury Festival running smoothly behind the scenes. From Oxfam and Shelter, to campsite crews and sensory calm spaces for people with neurodiversities, volunteers help every summer in return for a free ticket. The BBC spoke to some of the volunteers about why they do it, and how it is more than a free way into Somerset's Worthy Farm. Stuart Saunders has volunteered every year since 2007, starting as a Park Stage fire steward, and now is one of a dozen supervisors who look after more than 300 volunteers at the same site. The area around Park Stage famously includes the ribbon tower, the Glastonbury signs on the hill, several music spaces and areas and more. Although he said he has met some of his heroes while volunteering, he said the best part has been watching the area "evolve into being a part of something". "There's a team of people who work really hard to make it all happen, knowing them and they're such a diverse bunch," he said. "All walks of life, all backgrounds. And the only thing they have in common is they just want to deliver an amazing show and just being part of it is, in a small way, is a bit of a thrill. "Every year, there's little changes and it gets a little bit better. Better for the crowd, better for the people working there." Joel Aughey volunteers for Diverse UK, which sets up the sensory calm spaces dotted around the festival for neurodiverse people who are feeling overwhelmed. Since 2022, they have gone from one space to five and now has thousands attending across the festival's five days each year. Mr Aughey, who has ADHD, says the spaces are "vital for neurodiverse people". "It's been so interesting and fulfilling for me," he said. "Things are happening that add additional stress to a neurodiverse brain. "People would come in overwhelmed, and you get to take them in and put them somewhere where they can recuperate for a time, and then watch them come back out smiling, thanking you and getting back into it. "People say 'I would've gone home if this wasn't here' or 'I'd be back in the campsite'." She said it was people's responses and the feedback after they leave the space which makes it "so fulfilling". The spaces are in a white gazebo. Inside is low soft light and comfortable seating, and volunteers stand outside to speak to anyone who may need to use the space. Anyone who enters are given ear defenders or noise cancelling headphones, sensory aids such as fidget toys and a weighted blanket. Mr Aughey said they don't "exclusively let people in who identify as neurodiverse". Mary Palmer has volunteered at the Hawkwell campsite as a crew member near the Pyramid Stage since 2015. From giving directions to counselling heartbroken festival-goers, she said she has helped anyone with just about anything. "There's never a dull moment," she said. "Just being able to help people, and people going away feeling better than they were or leaving with more of a smile on their face." Ms Palmer and the campsite crew volunteer from Tuesday to Monday, working six hour shifts per day across a 24-hour period. "It sounds like we turn up, have a good time. But there is training involved, there's a lot of health and safety based training and crowd control training. "It's not just turning up and doing a few shifts and going home again. There's a lot more to it than that." Glastonbury Festival will open its gates at Worthy Farm in Somerset on 25 June until 29 June. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Glastonbury ticket sales cut to avoid overcrowding Couple in 80s thrilled to be Glastonbury volunteers How to get into Glastonbury without a ticket Brain injury survivor volunteers at Glastonbury Glastonbury 2025: Full line-up and stage times revealed Glastonbury Festival
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Saquon Barkley Reigns Supreme On and Off the Field
Saquon Barkley Reigns Supreme On and Off the Field originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has helped make the running back position cool again—finishing as the top player in NFLPA-licensed products for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025. Advertisement The Super Bowl LIX champion and 2024 NFL rushing leader became the first running back to top the list since Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott in 2017. The rankings included more than 85 licensed products including apparel, bobbleheads, accessories, figurines, wall decals, backpacks, and drinkware. "It is the most comprehensive and up-to-date snapshot of player-driven consumer demand, offering a strong indicator of the NFL's most marketable and influential athletes -- impacting everything from endorsements to overall earning potential," the NFLPA said in a release. Barkley is also the cover athlete for EA Sports video game Madden 26—becoming the first player since former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb who appeared on the Madden cover in 2006. Advertisement While his success off the field is phenomenal, Barkley is determined to continue producing at a high level on the gridiron. "I don't mean it in an arrogant way. I want to be the best running back to ever play, or at least one of the best running backs to ever play," Barkley said. "Don't think there's a way you can prove who's the best. But that's always been my motivation. "I feel like God's blessed me with a unique ability, and put me through a lot of adversity, and that's still going to be my mindset. So the love of the game, wanting to win, and wanting to compete and be great is always going to push me, no matter if we win four Super Bowls." If Barkley continues his current trajectory, he will most certainly have a strong argument to be on the NFL's Mount Rushmore of all-time greatest running backs. Advertisement Related: Eagles Coach's 'New Wrinkles' Make a Good First Impression at OTAs Related: Eagles' Saquon Barkley Reveals New 'Non-Retirement' Plan This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
