Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a surprise appearance at a rehearsal for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical in London this week, just days after the planned unveiling of a statue honouring his iconic film was postponed due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The statue, depicting Khan, 59, and co-star Kajol, 50, as their beloved characters Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), was scheduled to be unveiled in Leicester Square on May 7 as part of celebrations marking the film’s 30th anniversary.
It will eventually join the “Scenes in the Square” trail, alongside film icons such as Harry Potter, Gene Kelly, Mary Poppins, and Batman.
DDLJ, released in 1995, remains the longest-running film in Indian cinema, screening continuously in Mumbai since its debut.
The big unveiling was set to include an appearance by Khan, but producers Yash Raj Films announced that it would be delayed until an as yet unconfirmed future date “out of respect” for the situation overseas.
The night before had seen a deadly escalation in the region with India firing missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, killing at least 26 civilians, according to Islamabad officials.
Pakistan declared the strikes an “act of war” and responded by shooting down several Indian fighter jets.
India stated that the missile strikes targeted “terrorist infrastructure” linked to militants involved in last month's massacre of tourists in India-controlled Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistani shelling killed at least seven civilians in the region.
While a US-brokered ceasefire on Saturday helped contain the stand-off, it revived concerns over the fragility of regional stability.
Meanwhile, the musical — set in both the UK and India and directed by original filmmaker Aditya Chopra — is preparing to open in Manchester.
Reflecting on Khan’s visit, lead actress Jena Pandya (Simran) said: “Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honour… it will be a long-lasting memory for me.”
Ashley Day (Rog) called the experience “unbelievable,” adding: “He greeted us all with such love and genuine excitement… I can’t imagine what it must feel like to see a project—beloved by millions—being reimagined as a musical 30 years later.”
Composers Vishal & Sheykhar also praised the moment. Vishal Dadlani said Khan “loved the songs, the voices and the energy of the performances,” while Sheykhar Ravjiani noted the actor’s emotional connection to theatre, where his career first began: “The experience is a moment that will be etched in their hearts forever.”
Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical will run from May 29 - June 21 at the Palace Opera House in Manchester with tickets on sale from comefallinlovemusical.com
