DDLJ returns after 30 years: Shah Rukh Khan meets new Raj and Simran as he visits Aditya Chopra's UK production set

Economic Times

14-05-2025

An Unforgettable Afternoon with the Original Raj
Honouring the Legacy of Simran and Raj
A Star-Studded Creative Team and a Modern Twist
As Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) nears its 30th anniversary, the iconic love story is being reimagined for the stage through Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical. Directed by Aditya Chopra, who also helmed the original 1995 film, the musical is set to premiere at Manchester Opera House from May 29 to June 21, 2025. In a memorable prelude to the show, Shah Rukh Khan made a surprise visit to the rehearsal space in London, leaving the entire cast and crew visibly moved.Shah Rukh Khan, still making headlines after his appearance at the Met Gala, stopped by unannounced during a rehearsal of the musical adaptation. Dressed casually in a white t-shirt and jeans, he greeted the entire cast, posed for pictures, and watched them perform select scenes from the musical version of the legendary film. His unexpected presence sparked emotional reactions among the team, particularly from the lead actors.Ashley Day, who plays Roger—an updated version of Khan's Raj—shared how deeply meaningful the moment was. "When he arrived in our rehearsal room and met the full company, it was a moment that quietly landed on all of us—special in a way that didn't need words. Watching everyone take him in, I could feel how meaningful it was. He greeted us all with such love and genuine excitement about what we've been building. I can't imagine what it must feel like to see a project—beloved by millions—being reimagined as a musical 30 years later. And yet, he kept asking to see more! The words we shared privately are for one Raj to another Rog—but I will say, he was very happy. It was an unbelievable afternoon. I'll never forget it."Jena Pandya, who steps into the role of Simran originally played by Kajol, was equally overwhelmed by the experience. 'Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honour. He was so generous with his time and support for the show. Being able to show him some of the iconic scenes that himself and Kajol originally established was an incredible feeling and will be a long-lasting memory for me. I can't wait to head to Manchester next week and put this story on stage!'The team behind the musical shared a photo of Khan with Pandya and Day, captioned, 'When Raj of DDLJ met Rog & Simran of #ComeFallInLove! The king of the Indian film industry, @iamsrk, popped into our London rehearsal room and inspired us all and yes, hearts definitely skipped a beat!'Set between the UK and India, Come Fall In Love introduces a modern storyline where Simran, a British Indian woman, is engaged through an arranged marriage in India but eventually falls for a British man named Roger. The musical score, composed by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, features 18 original English-language songs. Nell Benjamin has penned the lyrics, with Rob Ashford leading choreography, supported by Shruti Merchant for Indian dance elements.Vishal Dadlani described Khan's visit as 'an amazingly positive experience,' adding that the actor engaged warmly with everyone after the rehearsal. 'He loved the songs, the voices, and the energy of the performances,' Dadlani said. Ravjiani echoed the sentiment, saying, 'Meeting the original Raj was an absolute delight for all of them. Theatre holds a very special place for Mr Shah Rukh Khan as his career began there.'The cast includes Irvine Iqbal, Kara Lane, Harveen Mann-Neary, Millie O'Connell, Kinshuk Sen, and others.