Mumbai, Dec 5 – To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a bronze statue of their iconic characters, Raj and Simran, in London’s Leicester Square.
It’s a first for an Indian movie to be honored with a statue in this historic spot, joining legendary figures such as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, Singin’ in the Rain, Batman and Wonder Woman.
When asked about the milestone, King Khan admitted he never imagined “DDLJ” would reach such a cultural landmark.
“I’ve been lucky to be part of cinema that connects so deeply with people,” he said. “We didn’t foresee its impact. Ad Chopra and the rest of the team thought it would be a good film, but nobody could have imagined what it would become and what it now represents.”
He reflected on the statue’s personal significance: “It’s meaningful not just for us, but for the entire Indian film industry. London has played a key role in our global appeal. While we were already popular domestically, the UK really helped us shine internationally—back when overseas markets were dominated by the UK.”
Khan recalled the early days of the film: “It started as a group of youngsters bringing “DDLJ” to life, with Aditya Chopra and then Karan Johar as the assistant director. We shot the movie in a tight 30‑40‑day window, mainly in Switzerland and England. That was a carefree, handheld experience—so much so that when we filmed a quick scene at Leicester Square, we barely had to warn anyone.”
Concluding, he said, “This statue is a proud milestone for Indian cinema. Seeing it honored in the UK—an early adopter of Indian films worldwide—feels especially right.”
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