New Delhi: Over three decades after it was first released and became a cult hit, the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is set to hit the stage in the UK. Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, directed by Aditya Chopra, will have music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani. The duo composed 18 new English songs for the UK version.
“Without giving too much away, there are little bits that are going to bring back a lot of memories for a lot of people and there are little bits that will become memories for a lot of people,” said Vishal Dadlani in an Instagram video, talking about the project.
The US stage adaptation is set in Boston instead of London, unlike the movie, and previewed in San Diego’s The Old Globe on 1 September 2022, followed by the official opening on 14 September. “Simran was played by Shobha Narayan and Roger was played by Austin Colby. The dances are among the best parts of “Come Fall in Love”, and Colby’s moves, especially his vertical leap, are impressive,” wrote Shalini Dore in a review of the musical.
She was, however, not impressed overall. ““Come Fall in Love” underwhelms — you’re more likely to fall in like than love. Although the songs are direct translations from the Hindi version, the music could be catchier, and the cast could hone their performances further in order to entice either Bollywood fans or curious newcomers to fork over Broadway ticket prices,” she wrote.
But not everyone shared her opinion. The show, originally scheduled to run till 16 October, had to be extended by a week after its popularity among audiences.
Now the show is getting ready to hit the stage in the UK. It will premiere on 29 May 2025 and will run till 21 June 2025 at the Manchester Opera House.
“DDLJ etched in every single Indian’s psyche… There is a lot of responsibility on our shoulders at the moment because we have to make sure that every single emotion is felt,” added Sheykhar on the Instagram post.
The songs have been written by Nell Benjamin, the award-winning lyricist of the musical versions of Legally Blonde (2007) and Mean Girls (2018).
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, was all praise for the composer duo. “As two leading Indian composers, to be able to put up music like this for a show, hopefully for Broadway and on a global stage, and get people dancing on their feet is amazing,” he said.
Also read: Austin Colby as Raj in Broadway’s DDLJ takes away the best part — NRIs turning desi
London and trains
Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical tells the story of Simran, a young British woman whose future is all set with an arranged marriage back in India. Before that, she sets off around Europe for one last summer of freedom. Like in the original, she gets stranded with a handsome young man, but this time it is not an NRI, but a firang, Roger, who is laidback and party-loving. For the UK adaptation, Jena Pandya has been roped in to play Simran, while Roger will be played by Ashley Day. Pandya has also played the lead in Bhangra Nation (2024) and appeared in a production of Mamma Mia (2024).
“The music has this unbelievable mix of musical theatre and Punjabi pop-something l’ve never seen done on stage,” said Day in an interview to Variety.
On Valentine’s Day earlier this year, Britain’s railway network and YRF partnered for a cultural event to showcase the romance of train travel. The event involved immersive activities at manchester and London railway stations. London’s King’s Cross station is where the pair meet for the first time in the movie.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)