Two Bollywood icons will soon grace London’s iconic Leicester Square in a bronze tribute.
Two Bollywood icons will be immortalised in bronze at London’s Leicester Square this year after a five-year planning process.
As their 1995 smash-hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) turns 30 and becomes the first Indian film to be honored on the film trail, Shah Rukh Khan and the uber-popular Kajol will unveil their statues at London’s “Seces in the Square” in honor of the “king of Bollywood” in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary.
The statue — which will be positioned outside the Odeon cinema on the eastern terrace — will see Shah Rukh and Kajol in an iconic pose from the Yash Raj Films blockbuster rom-com. The location of the statue couldn’t be more apt, as Leicester Square features prominently in the film, being the spot where their beloved characters, Raj and Simran, first cross paths.
When Raj and Simran are traveling across Europe with their friends, their lives cross in DDLJ. Despite having very different upbringings and coming from completely different backgrounds, they fall in love irrevocably. The film details how they must overcome to be accepted by their families so that they can live together.
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The statue will serve as a fitting tribute to kick off the film’s 30th anniversary celebrations because it is the longest-running Hindi film ever made.
The opportunity to support Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who are such renown international film stars, is fantastic, according to Mark Williams, Heart of London Business Alliance deputy chief executive. We’re excited to see the first movie that uses Leicester Square as a location because Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the most popular and significant Bollywood movies ever. A celebration of London’s rich diversity and a fitting tribute to Bollywood’s global popularity, the statue is also fitting.
When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), the production house behind the movie, was released 30 years ago, it became a defining moment for Indian cinema and sparked the interest of everyone who saw it all over the world, according to Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films. We’re thrilled to be featured in “Secrets in the Square” for the first time for an Indian film. Additionally, it commemorates the 30 years of DDLJ, a movie that has inspired worldwide love and joy and highlights its cultural significance in the UK.
He added: “We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognized 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 Manchester Opera House will host a musical theater adaptation of the movie Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical on May 29.
As it becomes only the 11th statue to appear in the award-winning “Secrets in the Square” trail, Gene Kelly will appear alongside it in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Batman, Wonder Woman, and most recently, Daniel Kaluuya in the Oscar-winning film Get Out.
The movie is the longest-running movie in Indian cinema history, and even though it was first screened in 1995, it is still showing in Mumbai’s renowned Maratha Mandir cinema today.
Undoubtedly the most popular actor from India, Shah Rukh Khan currently ranks fourth in the latest World’s Richest Actors list. Having garnered unprecedented fame over the decades, it’s safe to say SRK has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Several of his most successful movies have been opposite Kajol, making them one of the most beloved onscreen Bollywood couples of all time. The two also share a deep friendship outside of their work.
Source: Mirror
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