(February 19, 2025) It all started at London’s King’s Cross station. A bustling platform, an impatient girl racing to catch her train, and a charming stranger offering a hand just in time. In that one moment, Raj met Simran, and Bollywood changed forever.
It has been 30 years since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) introduced the world to this love story, but it never really left us. Whether it was the countless reruns, the Maratha Mandir screenings in Mumbai, or the legions of fans who still dream of their own train station romance — DDLJ isn’t just a movie, it’s a cultural touchstone.
Now, as Yash Raj Films (YRF) celebrates three decades of the film, it’s taking the romance to a whole new stage — literally. In May 2025, Manchester will play host to Come Fall in Love, a grand musical adaptation of DDLJ, bringing Bollywood’s most iconic love story to British theatre for the first time.
The Soft Power of Cinema: Why DDLJ Still Matters
Beyond being just a love story, DDLJ is a perfect example of cinema’s power to bring cultures together. Bollywood has long been a soft power for India, influencing everything from fashion trends to how love is portrayed on screen. But more than that, films like DDLJ have shaped the cultural identity of Indians living abroad — especially in the UK.
When the film first released in 1995, it wasn’t just a box-office hit — it became a shared memory for South Asian families in Britain, a story that spoke to the experience of growing up in two worlds. For British Indians, Raj and Simran weren’t just characters; they were reflections of their own lives, torn between family expectations and personal dreams. At a time when mainstream cinema rarely acknowledged the diaspora experience, DDLJ made it front and center.
When Aditya Chopra directed DDLJ, he envisioned a film that celebrated both India and its diaspora, balancing the romance of the West with the deeply rooted traditions of home.
Now, as Come Fall in Love takes the stage, the UK-India connection comes full circle. It’s not just Bollywood arriving on a British stage—it’s a celebration of how stories evolve, travel, and continue to resonate across generations.
By merging Bollywood with British theatre and railways with timeless romance, this collaboration goes beyond nostalgia. It highlights the lasting power of cinema and storytelling to bridge cultures, creating connections that transcend time and place.
Bringing DDLJ to the British Stage
Come May 29, and the Manchester Opera House will open its doors to one of the biggest musicals – Come Fall in Love—The DDLJ Musical. So how do you take a three-hour Bollywood classic and turn it into a Broadway-style musical? For Aditya Chopra, who is directing the stage adaptation, it’s about keeping the soul of the story alive while reimagining it for a new audience.
Unlike the film, Come Fall in Love introduces a cross-cultural twist. This time, Simran is a British Indian woman, and Raj is British, adding a new layer of complexity to their love story. With 18 brand-new songs composed by Vishal & Sheykhar, the script and lyrics of the musical are penned by Nell Benjamin, known for Mean Girls on Broadway.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a DDLJ adaptation without a grand train station scene.
“The railway has long inspired filmmakers and helped to shape our cultural landscape. Its bicentenary this year provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this hugely successful, rail-related Bollywood blockbuster, and its new musical opening in the UK this summer,” said Suzanne Donnelly, Executive Director of Railway 200.
Meet Jena Pandya, the British-Indian Simran
British-Indian actress Jena Pandya, a rising star in musical theatre, is taking Simran to the British stage. Having previously starred in Mamma Mia and Bhangra Nation, Pandya is no stranger to playing strong, expressive female leads, but Come Fall in Love marks a new milestone in her career—one that’s both personal and deeply meaningful.
For Pandya, stepping into Simran’s shoes isn’t just about playing a character—it’s about representing a story that has resonated with generations. “I’m so thrilled to be playing Simran in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical,” she said. “It is amazing to be part of telling a story that means so much to so many people. The original film has become a part of the cultural fabric of India, and to get to bring this story to life on stage in Manchester is such a joy.”
Jena Pandya in Mama Mia
Her connection to performance and storytelling started early. “As a tiny ten-year-old, I played Annie in my school play. My parents joke that they knew from that moment I was going to be on stage. I was pretty fearless as a child when it came to performing. I loved to sing and dance all the time—to my sister’s dismay. It was never a question of whether I was going to give this path a go,” she recalls.
Growing up between Northumberland and Dubai, Jena Pandya was raised on a mix of British and Indian influences—making her connection to the story even more personal. Like many in the diaspora, she grew up watching Bollywood films, captivated by their music, drama, and larger-than-life storytelling.
“I remember watching DDLJ as a kid and being completely mesmerized by Simran,” she recalls. “She wasn’t just a girl in a love story—she was strong, passionate, and full of life. To now get the chance to play her on a British stage is an absolute dream.”
Her passion led her to Bird College, one of the UK’s leading performing arts institutions.
“As soon as I auditioned at Bird, I knew it was the place for me. Walking into the building, it felt like a safe and inviting space for someone moving all the way from Northumberland to London,” she says.
But her training years weren’t easy—especially when the pandemic hit.
“Training was already difficult before COVID, but nothing could have prepared me for lockdown. Zoom dance classes and singing lessons were a huge challenge, and there was so much frustration and fear about the industry we were entering. But making it through that time made me feel like I can overcome anything thrown at me, and for that, I’m really grateful.”
Her co-star, Ashley Day, who plays Roger—the British counterpart to Raj—shares her excitement. “The script is incredibly funny and full of heart. What I love most is how it shows two cultures, each staying true to their roots while embracing something bigger than themselves,” he said.
For Jena Pandya, the journey to Come Fall in Love hasn’t been just about learning lines and rehearsing choreography—it’s about bringing an iconic character to life in a way that feels fresh, relevant, and true to her own cultural experience.
“Being part of a new musical is challenging but so rewarding,” she said. “It’s a chance to tell a story that is beloved by so many, but also to introduce it to a whole new audience. That’s really special.”
In 2022, DDLJ Musical had its world premiere at the Old Globe in San Diego in the US, with Indian-American actor Shobha Narayan playing the role of Simran. “The fact that we have an Indian musical headed to Broadway feels incredibly personal and monumental to me as an Indian American actor who grew up loving Bollywood films and musical theatre. It was only a matter of time before Broadway and Bollywood found each other and I am over the moon to be leading this exceptional production,” she had told IANS during a media interaction.
The Role of Railways and Films in the UK-India Connection
The UK-India relationship has always been deeply intertwined with both railways and cinema. The British railway system played a significant role in shaping India’s infrastructure, while Bollywood films have long found a home in British theatres, multiplexes, and homes across the diaspora.
With DDLJ’s famous train sequences, including its unforgettable “Palat” moment on the railway platform, the film remains an enduring symbol of love and travel.
By partnering with Railway 200, the UK’s bicentennial railway celebrations, YRF is reinforcing how cinema and railways have been integral to the movement of people, stories, and cultures between the two nations. “We are very pleased to partner with Yash Raj Films and celebrate the enduring romance of rail and the power of connection across the world,” added Suzanne.
This is a first-of-its-kind collaboration, merging two industries that have, in their own ways, connected India and the UK for over a century.
A New Beginning for an Old Love Story
As DDLJ turns 30, Come Fall in Love is poised to introduce a new generation to Raj and Simran.
For British audiences, it’s a chance to see a Bollywood love story unfold on a theatre stage. For Indians across the world, it’s proof that some stories never fade—they only evolve.
As the Manchester premiere approaches, fans of DDLJ will once again get to see love defy all odds—across cultures, across generations, and of course, across train stations.