The bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and his co-star Kajol has become the first-ever tribute to an Indian film in Leicester Square, London. The statue depicts a moment from Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), the longest-running Hindi film of all time — which also featured a scene shot in Leicester Square.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled the statue today, celebrating their iconic roles in one of Indian cinema’s most beloved films. Marking the 30th year of Yash Raj Films’ blockbuster, the statue captures Raj and Simran in an unforgettable pose and celebrates the film’s enduring influence on pop culture among South Asians across the world.
With this installation, DDLJ joins the Scenes in the Square trail alongside legendary characters from films such as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin’ in the Rain, as well as cinematic heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. The unveiling was attended by Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, and Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance.
Speaking at the launch, Shah Rukh Khan said, “DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why DDLJ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now! Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see the film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released.”
He added, “I am thankful to the people of the United Kingdom and the Heart of London Business Alliance for celebrating DDLJ and immortalising us with such a gesture. Seeing DDLJ become the first Indian film to be honoured in the iconic Scenes in the Square trail is an emotional moment and has brought back so many memories. I feel immense pride knowing the film has been embraced around the world, and I want to share this moment with the entire cast and crew of DDLJ, my friend and director Aditya Chopra and the YRF family. This is a moment I will never forget!”
Sharing her feelings, Kajol said, “It’s incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history, a story that has truly travelled across generations.”
She continued, “Seeing it find its rightful place in Leicester Square, a location of such enormous significance to DDLJ, makes this moment even more special. For the film to be honoured in this way in the UK, the first Indian film to receive such recognition, is something that will forever stay in the hearts and minds of DDLJ fans across the world. I’m grateful to everyone who continues to keep our film in their hearts for all these years.”
DDLJ tells the story of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians who fall in love during a journey across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross station. Leicester Square plays a meaningful role in the film; Raj and Simran first cross paths there, without realising what lies ahead. The scene prominently features two of the square’s cinemas, Raj outside the Vue cinema and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.
Upon its release in 1995, DDLJ became a global phenomenon and a cultural landmark for South Asian communities around the world. The statue forms a key part of the film’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and comes even as the film continues its record-breaking cinema run in India. Over the years, the movie’s cultural resonance expanded globally, even former US President Barack Obama referenced DDLJ during an official visit to India. Earlier this year, the story also reached new audiences through a stage adaptation, Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical, which ran in Manchester.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, said, “As an Indian studio that has been on a mission to tell heartwarming Indian stories to the world for over 50 years now, it is a huge moment of pride to see DDLJ being honoured in the United Kingdom on the occasion of its 30th release year. Becoming the first Indian film to be immortalised as a statue at a historic location like Leicester Square is truly a humbling moment for us as a company. To be recognised alongside Hollywood icons like Mary Poppins, Gene Kelly and Harry Potter shows the cultural impact DDLJ has had the world over, including the UK. This tribute will spur us on in our creative journey and we hope to continue entertaining people globally with inspiring stories from our incredible country.”
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