Bollywood’s ‘King of Romance’, Shah Rukh Khan, and his co-star Kajol witnessed a historic moment yesterday, Thursday, in London’s Leicester Square. A statue of their characters, Raj and Simran, from a romantic scene of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) was unveiled there to mark the film’s 30th anniversary. This sculpture is now placed on the ‘Scenes in the Square’ trail, which also features statues of world-famous fictional characters such as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, and Paddington Bear. The two stars are overwhelmed by this honour bestowed upon legendary characters of Indian cinema on a world stage. Akshay Vidhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, stated that DDLJ has left a massive cultural impact not just in India but globally.
The attendance of thousands of fans, defying the torrential rain during the statue unveiling, was remarkable. This huge turnout proves that even after three decades, the appeal of Raj and Simran has not diminished in the slightest. Shah Rukh Khan (60), upon seeing the sculpture, said that it felt like seeing his own life-size doll. He commented, “I look quite handsome, and Kajol is beautiful.” He stated that he “cannot wait” to show the sculpture to his three children. Kajol also described this way of being commemorated as “unbelievable.” Shah Rukh considers the installation of this statue to be an “appropriate” decision, as some scenes of the film were shot in London and Leicester Square itself.
In a conversation with the BBC, Shah Rukh and Kajol also discussed the current state of Bollywood. Regarding the fluctuation of ticket sales in the post-pandemic era, Kajol noted that people now have plenty of entertainment 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.
A table of information related to the sculpture and honour is provided below:
| Sculpture/Character | Location | Context |
| Shah Rukh-Kajol (Raj-Simran) | Leicester Square, London (‘Scenes in the Square’ Trail) | 30th Anniversary of DDLJ & International Honour |
| Other Characters | Located on the same trail | Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear |
Shah Rukh Khan has returned strongly despite the ups and downs of his career. He made a successful comeback in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, and his new action film ‘King’ is awaiting release. Through acting, production, and cricket team ownership, he is now one of the wealthiest actors in the world. Meanwhile, in response to a journalist seeking marriage advice, Kajol and Shah Rukh joked that they lack the experience to give advice on post-marriage life because one has to manage oneself after marriage. However, they advised always having romance and singing songs.