LONDON UNVEILS DDLJ STATUE, CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF AN INDIAN CINEMA ICON

A bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, immortalising their iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge pose, now graces London’s Leicester Square in a historic first for Indian cinema

A bronze sculpture of Bollywood legends Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, depicting their unforgettable pose from the 1995 classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), was unveiled at London’s Leicester Square on Thursday to commemorate 30 years of the beloved film. Both actors were present for the ceremony, with Shah Rukh in a sharp black suit and Kajol in a graceful powder blue saree, as they revealed the statue before an enthusiastic crowd.

Sharing photographs from the event on Instagram, Shah Rukh wrote, “Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).”

Expressing his gratitude, he added, “Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail.” This milestone marks the first time a statue from an Indian film has been included in the renowned Scenes in the Square Sculpture Trail, which celebrates cinematic history in the heart of London.

Shah Rukh signed off with an invitation to fans and visitors: “Come meet Raj & Simran if and when you are in London… we would love to see you make more memories with DDLJ.”

Released on October 20, 1995, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. The story follows Raj and Simran, two young non-resident Indians who fall in love during a holiday through Europe. Leicester Square is central to the film’s narrative, being the place where the characters first cross paths unknowingly. Other London landmarks featured in the film include Horse Guards Avenue, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge and King’s Cross Station.

DDLJ was the highest-grossing Indian film of 1995, earning ₹102.50 crore globally, according to Sacnilk. Its cultural impact has only expanded over the decades, inspiring Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical, which premiered at Manchester Opera House on 29 May.