London’s Leicester Square, famed for its cinematic tributes, witnessed a historic moment on December 4, 2025, as Bollywood megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a bronze statue immortalizing their beloved characters Raj and Simran from the 1995 classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The event marked the 30th anniversary of a film that has not only defined a generation but continues to captivate audiences worldwide, earning its place as the longest-running movie in Indian cinema.
As rain poured relentlessly over Leicester Square, fans—some waiting for over two hours—huddled under umbrellas, eager for a glimpse of their idols and the grand unveiling. The new statue, depicting Raj and Simran in their signature pose, now stands alongside icons such as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, Bridget Jones, and Gene Kelly from Singin’ in the Rain as part of the renowned Scenes in the Square trail. It is the first statue in this celebrated display to honor an Indian film, a milestone that resonated deeply with both the stars and the crowd.
Shah Rukh Khan, often hailed as Bollywood’s King of Romance, expressed his gratitude and humility at the ceremony. “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,” Khan shared at the launch, according to Variety. “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.”
Kajol, radiant in a blue saree, echoed these sentiments: “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 told Bollywood Shaadis.
The film’s connection to London is more than symbolic. Key scenes were filmed in the city, including the very Leicester Square where Raj and Simran’s paths first cross, and King’s Cross station, the starting point of their European adventure. The statue’s placement, then, feels almost like destiny—a permanent reminder of the film’s British connection and its universal appeal.
The unveiling was attended by prominent figures from the film and business worlds, including Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films (the studio behind DDLJ), and Ros Morgan, chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, which operates the Scenes in the Square trail with support from Westminster City Council. Widhani described the moment as “a huge moment of pride,” telling BBC News, “To be recognised alongside Hollywood icons like Mary Poppins, Gene Kelly and Harry Potter, shows the cultural impact DDLJ has had the world over.” Morgan added, “We’re proud to welcome global megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to our Scenes in the Square trail. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a cinematic phenomenon that has shaped generations, and London’s first tribute to Indian cinema honours a story whose magic continues to captivate audiences worldwide.”
The event itself was nothing short of a spectacle. Despite the downpour, fans lined the square, some cheering, others snapping photos, all swept up in the nostalgia and excitement of the occasion. Videos circulating on social media captured Khan holding an umbrella over Kajol, a scene almost as iconic as those from the film itself. As one viral caption put it, “Permanent mannequin challenge to celebrate 30 years of DDLJ unveiled today after 2 hours of waiting in the pi**ing rain. Worth it? Questionable.” Yet, for most, the answer was a resounding yes.
DDLJ’s legacy is unparalleled. Directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by the late Yash Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film’s plot follows Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians who fall in love while traveling across Europe and India. Their journey begins on a train from King’s Cross, and their love story—complete with cultural clashes, familial expectations, and ultimately, a triumphant union—has struck a chord with audiences for decades. It’s been called the “Romeo and Juliet of Bollywood cinema,” a title that feels well-earned.
Since its 1995 release, DDLJ has held the record for the longest-running film in Indian cinema, with a theatrical run that continues in Mumbai’s famed Maratha Mandir. Its influence extends far beyond the screen, inspiring a stage adaptation—Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical—which played in Manchester earlier this year, further proof of the story’s enduring appeal.
The unveiling also served as a moment for reflection on Bollywood’s current state. Both Khan and Kajol acknowledged the challenges facing the industry in the wake of the pandemic, with increased competition from streaming platforms and shifting viewer habits. “People suddenly have a choice of whether they want to go to the cinema or not. And if you have so much choice, it automatically makes it more difficult when you have to choose,” Kajol told BBC News. Khan, ever the optimist, added, “But I think community viewing... will always exist. We like to see things, enjoy things together.”
Khan, who recently returned to the big screen after a four-year hiatus and joined the ranks of the world’s richest actors, was in high spirits throughout the event. When asked about the statue, he quipped, “I think I’m looking very handsome. You’re also looking very pretty,” to which Kajol replied with her trademark wit, “It’s like a second thought, but thanks.” Their playful banter and camaraderie only added to the sense of occasion.
For many, the statue is more than a tribute to a film—it’s a celebration of a cultural phenomenon that has bridged continents and generations. As Shah Rukh Khan wrote on Instagram, “Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)! Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail.”
Kajol, reflecting on her character Simran, summed up the film’s legacy: “There’s a piece of DDLJ in almost every romantic film that came after it, because somewhere, history was made and it never quite left us. For me, Simran is a chapter that refuses to end. She represents millions of girls across this country—girls who want to do what their parents say, who carry tradition in one hand but still reach out for freedom with the other. That’s why she still resonates.”
As the rain-soaked crowds finally dispersed, the new statue stood gleaming, a testament to the power of cinema, the endurance of love stories, and the magic that happens when art bridges cultures. Raj and Simran, forever caught in that iconic moment, will greet Londoners and visitors alike—reminding everyone that sometimes, the most memorable love stories are the ones that never truly end.
