Shah Rukh-Kajol Statue Unveiled in London: The Enduring Appeal of ‘DDLJ’ After 30 Years

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), one of the most successful and longest-running films in Bollywood history, has completed 30 years. To commemorate this special occasion, a statue of the film’s main characters, Raj and Simran, in the likeness of actors Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, was unveiled in London’s Leicester Square. The two stars were present in the United Kingdom yesterday, Thursday, for the statue unveiling ceremony. Since some scenes of DDLJ were filmed in London and Leicester Square itself, Shah Rukh believes that placing the sculpture here is an ‘appropriate’ decision. He expressed his gratitude to the audiences in England, stating that their support has played a major role in showcasing modern Indian cinema on the world stage.

Despite the torrential rain during the statue unveiling, thousands of fans gathered in the Square for a glimpse of their favourite stars. The presence of such a large number of fans proves that even after three decades, the love story of Raj and Simran, as the ‘Romeo-Juliet’ of Indian cinema, lives on as an eternal romance in people’s hearts. Excited by the sculpture, 60-year-old Shah Rukh Khan told the BBC that he felt like he was seeing his own life-size doll. He remarked, “I look quite handsome, and Kajol is beautiful.” He also shared that he “cannot wait” to show the sculpture to his three children. Kajol also described this honour as “unbelievable.”

Shah Rukh Khan, through three decades of acting, producing, and cricket team ownership—is now one of the wealthiest actors in the world. His name has been mentioned alongside world-renowned figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rihanna, Tiger Woods, and Taylor Swift.

A table showing Shah Rukh Khan’s career and financial success is provided below:

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh and Kajol also spoke about the fluctuations in Bollywood ticket sales following the pandemic. Kajol noted that people now have plenty of alternatives, making the decision to go to the cinema hall difficult. However, Shah Rukh believes that the joy of ‘community viewing’, or watching films together, will never be lost. When asked by a BBC journalist for marriage advice, Kajol and Shah Rukh joked that they could only advise on romance up until the marriage, because post-marriage life needs to be managed by oneself. Nevertheless, they advised romance, singing songs, and, crucially, watching ‘DDLJ’. Akshay Vidhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, stated that DDLJ has left a massive cultural impact not just in India but globally.