London. The Heart of London Business Alliance has announced that it is “proud to unveil” at the end of the year the newest addition to ‘Scenes in the Square’—a bronze statue of Indian cinema icons, ‘King of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol,” capturing a beloved moment from the legendary film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Set in Leicester Square, the statue marks a historic moment for the trail and for Indian cinema in the UK. It is the first statue in London to honor Indian cinema, the eleventh statue in the award-winning Scenes in the Square trail, and above all a tribute to the 30th anniversary of DDLJ, the longest-running Hindi film of all time.
DDLJ, directed by Aditya Chopra, became a global box office smash in 1995 and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Its story of Raj and Simran—two non-resident Indians falling in love across Europe and India — has become a cultural touchstone.
Mark Williams, Deputy Chief Executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, says on April 9: “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 UK. 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.”
This latest addition is both a celebration of 30 years of Bollywood magic and a powerful reflection of the global stories that shape our cinematic landscape.
Why Leicester Square?
The Square features in an early scene of the film, where the two lead characters unknowingly cross paths. The new statue will sit outside the Odeon cinema, recreating this moment—Raj seen in front of the Vue and Simran walking by the Odeon.
A Global Legacy
The film DDLJ has a global legacy and is still screened in Mumbai daily. It has a devoted following among the UK’s five million-strong British South Asian community, with Shah Rukh Khan going on to become the world’s wealthiest film star, with over 80 film credits—12 of them with Kajol.
Five Years of Movie Magic
Now in its fifth year, ‘Scenes in the Square’ continues to celebrate film history in the heart of London. Launched in 2020 by Heart of London Business Alliance with support from Westminster City Council, the trail has welcomed over 100 million visitors, become a cultural landmark in the West End, and showcased characters including Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Mary Poppins, Mr. Bean, and most recently, Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Get Out.’
