Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveil bronze statue in London to mark 30th anniversary of DDLJ — photos and reaction
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol returned to a place steeped in DDLJ history this week as they unveiled a bronze statue in London celebrating three decades of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). The statue, installed in Leicester Square, captures the film’s iconic pose and has already become a focal point for fans and cultural commentators alike.
Why Shah Rukh Khan’s presence mattered — a cultural moment in Leicester Square
Leicester Square is London’s cinematic heart, a public stage where films and film stars are publicly celebrated. Having Shah Rukh Khan at the unveiling transformed the ceremony from an industry event into a cultural moment for the global Bollywood community. His presence alongside Kajol underscored DDLJ’s enduring international appeal and the way the film helped familiarise Western audiences with mainstream Hindi cinema.
The statue: what it shows and where it’s placed
The bronze piece depicts Raj and Simran in a signature stance from the film — a visual shorthand that instantly transports fans back to the movie’s most romantic beats. It’s been installed on the eastern terrace of Leicester Square, close to the Odeon cinema, where it joins the square’s “Scenes in the Square” trail that honours famous film moments. The choice of location is deliberate: DDLJ includes scenes set in and around London, making Leicester Square an apt and symbolic site.
From plan to unveiling: timeline and context
The idea for a DDLJ statue in Leicester Square was reported earlier in the year and had originally been expected to appear in spring 2025 as part of the film’s 30th-anniversary celebrations. Organisers and Yash Raj Films signalled the intention to make the statue a central element of a wider anniversary programme, which includes stage productions and public events. While the initial schedule pointed to spring, the public unveiling with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol took place later in the year — reaffirming the project’s high profile and careful planning.
A stage musical and other anniversary plans
DDLJ’s 30th anniversary was marked by more than the statue. Aditya Chopra’s stage adaptation, Come Fall In Love — The DDLJ Musical, also entered public view, with rehearsals and previews in the UK earlier in the year. Shah Rukh Khan visited the musical’s rehearsals, lending his support to the production and helping bridge the original film and its new theatrical life. These linked activities helped build momentum ahead of the statue unveiling, making the anniversary a multi-format celebration rather than a single event.
Fans, photos, and social reaction
Pictures from the unveiling — including images posted on social channels by the organisers and participants — circulated rapidly. Fans packed Leicester Square to catch a glimpse, take selfies with the new statue, and leave floral tributes. Social media reaction mixed nostalgia with pride: many fans praised Shah Rukh Khan for returning to a role that defined a generation of romance on screen; others celebrated Kajol’s enduring chemistry with Khan on and off the screen. Official snippets and posts from the square and related Instagram accounts documented the moment for international audiences who could not attend in person.
What the statue means for Bollywood’s global recognition
The installation of a Bollywood monument in Leicester Square is symbolically significant. Leicester Square is lined with tributes to global film history; adding Raj and Simran to that roster is a public acknowledgment that DDLJ and Bollywood occupy a permanent place in global pop culture. For the British South Asian community and for diasporic audiences worldwide, the statue serves both as representation and as recognition of the economic and cultural links between Bollywood and global entertainment hubs. It’s a visible sign that Indian cinema can command civic space on the world stage.
Tourism, local engagement and the “Scenes in the Square” trail
Local tourism stakeholders have noted that commemorative statues and film trails help draw diverse visitors, and the DDLJ tribute was presented as a strategic addition to Leicester Square’s film heritage attractions. Organisers expect the statue to strengthen cultural tourism in the area, especially among visitors from South Asia and Bollywood fans worldwide. The installation also expands Leicester Square’s “Scenes in the Square” trail, which already includes other celebrated cinematic moments.
What fans should know — practical details
If you’re planning to visit the statue, Leicester Square is centrally located and easily accessible by London’s public transport system. The statue stands outdoors on the eastern terrace near the Odeon cinema and is free to view at any time, though official events and higher footfall can be expected on weekends and during related theatre performances. For fans wanting official photos or to catch a public event, following local announcements from Leicester Square and Yash Raj Films’ social channels will be the best way to stay updated.
Final note: a legacy moment for Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol
For Shah Rukh Khan, the unveiling is another milestone in a career that has repeatedly crossed cultural and national borders. For Kajol, it’s a reminder of a partnership that has come to define modern Bollywood romance. Together, their visit to Leicester Square and the unveiling of the DDLJ statue offered fans a moment of shared history — one that turns cinematic memory into a public, lasting tribute. As films continue to travel and transform on stage and screen, physical monuments like this one act as anchors for memory and celebration.
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