Raj and Simran Find a Permanent Home in London

Bollywood’s most enduring love story took a historic step onto the global stage as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge at London’s Leicester Square on Wednesday. The installation marks the film’s 30-year milestone, celebrating a timeless romance that has continued to resonate across generations since its release in 1995.The statue has been added to the city’s iconic Scenes in the Square trail, making DDLJ the first Indian film to be immortalised at the landmark location. Positioned alongside pop-culture giants such as Batman, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman, the tribute acknowledges both Bollywood’s growing global recognition and the lasting influence of a film that changed the language of romance in Indian cinema.

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At the unveiling, Shah Rukh Khan reflected on the emotional journey of the film, calling it a story born from sincerity and love that still connects with audiences decades later. For him, DDLJ has become inseparable from his own identity, and the overwhelming affection the film continues to receive remains humbling. Kajol shared her own sense of pride, noting how meaningful it was for the film to find its place in a location so closely linked to the story itself. Being the first Indian film honoured in the UK in this way, she said, is a moment that will live forever in the hearts of fans worldwide.

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The sculpture recreates one of Raj and Simran’s most recognizable poses, instantly triggering waves of nostalgia among the crowds gathered at Leicester Square. Videos from the unveiling captured fans cheering as the two stars revealed the statue offering a rare real-world reunion of the iconic on-screen couple. Social media quickly filled with emotional reactions, with users calling them the “forever favourite on-screen couple” and describing DDLJ as their “golden era of cinema.”

Since its debut, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has become one of the most celebrated films in Indian history, holding the record as the longest-running theatrical release and setting the template for modern Bollywood romance. Its influence stretches far beyond box office numbers, shaping storytelling styles and redefining how love stories were portrayed for a generation of filmmakers and audiences alike.Now, with Raj and Simran cast in bronze at one of the world’s most famous entertainment hubs, the film’s legacy gains a new, global dimension cementing its place not just in Bollywood folklore, but in world cinema history. As fans across continents continue to mark 30 years of DDLJ, the Leicester Square statue stands as a gleaming reminder of how one love story crossed borders, cultures, and decades to become truly timeless.