"a fitting tribute to the global popularity of Bollywood"
A statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will be unveiled in Leicester Square this spring.
The Heart of London Business Alliance announced the statue will join the ‘Scenes in the Square’ movie trail, becoming the first tribute to Indian cinema in London.
It will depict the pair in a scene from their iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
The statue will sit outside the Odeon cinema, where the film’s characters, Raj and Simran, unknowingly cross paths. It marks the start of the 30-year celebration of the film.
DDLJ remains the longest-running Hindi film of all time and a pop culture milestone.
Filmed partly in London, the romantic comedy continues to screen in Mumbai today. It is often called the Romeo and Juliet of Bollywood.
The film is cherished by over five million British South Asians and features London landmarks such as Hyde Park, Tower Bridge and King’s Cross Station.
Mark Williams, Deputy Chief Executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, said:
“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to add to our trail Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who are such titans of international cinema.
“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the most successful and important Bollywood films of all time, and we’re excited by the prospect of bringing to the trail the first film that features Leicester Square as a location.
“The statue is a fitting tribute to the global popularity of Bollywood and a celebration of London’s rich diversity.
“We’re in no doubt it will attract fans from all around the world to Leicester Square, the home of film and entertainment.”
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, added: “When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) was released 30 years ago, the film became a defining moment for Indian cinema and changed the face of the industry, capturing the hearts of everyone who saw it all over the globe.
“We’re thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in ‘Scenes in the Square’.”
“It also marks 30 years of DDLJ, a film that has spread love and joy globally, and shows the cultural impact it has had in the UK.
“We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite, from Gene Kelly to Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter.
“This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema.”
The DDLJ statue will join existing tributes to characters including Batman, Wonder Woman, Mr Bean and Mary Poppins. A statue of Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out was added in 2024.
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