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This year marked major milestones for two of Hindi cinema’s most enduring classics, Sholay and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, films that continue to entertain and shape generations. Sholay completed 50 years, while DDLJ celebrated its 30th anniversary. And this month is special for both: Sholay is gearing up for a nationwide re-release in a restored 4K version with its original ending reinstatedwhile DDLJ commemorated its milestone with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of Raj and Simran at London’s iconic Leicester Square.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol flew down for the occasion, and in a scene straight out of a movie, the statue was inaugurated amid pouring rain. After the ceremony, the duo sat down with BBC Asian Network and reflected on experiencing such a surreal moment. Shah Rukh, in his trademark wit, said, “Dilwale Dulhania, me and Kajol are like a bad habit you cant get away from us.” When the host reminded him that he once described the film as “dal chawal,” given how staple it has become for Indians, he smiled and agreed: “It’s like add rice, yeah”.
Kajol, however, was quick to interrupt, expressing her displeasure: “I dont like this idea of added ricepls give us some more interesting names.” When the host suggested, “it’s like a biryani,” Shah Rukh nodded and replied, “It’s a good biryani”. And Kajol instantly agreed. SRK was then asked what felt more fulfilling, seeing the film remain iconic for 30 years and receiving a permanent tribute in London, or witnessing his son Aryan Khan pay homage to the movie in his debut show The Ba***ds of Bollywood by referencing the famous “palat” moment. With a smile, he said, “I think all of it, yeah. And I cant take the credit for all of it. I think the film that got created by Adi and all of us, I think it’s just so amazing that after all these years, even right now while standing in the rain, we know there is a sense of achievement to all of this, a sense of gratefulness. And then the music starts playing (the theme of DDLJ), and then Kajol said, ‘what a lovely song’ as if it’s not even ours and we are hearing it for the first time.”
Kajol pointed out a divine coincidence: Shah Rukh’s entry in the film happens in the rain, and here they were unveiling a statue under a similar downpour. To this, Shah Rukh added, “And it’s so strange that her son (Yug) is wearing a leather jacket, her daughter (Nysa) is dressed in a salwar kameez.” A surprised Kajol echoed the thought: “In a white salwar kameez! I know it was not planned; it just happened to be.” Kajol’s children, Nysa Devgn and Yug Devgn, also posed beside the statue. Shah Rukh remarked, “Yeah, it was very sweet,” while Kajol concluded emotionally: “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s a little unbelievable, I’m a little awe-struck, and so I have to go and see it a little more closely with my specs on.”
Yesterday, Shah Rukh posted on X: “Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)! Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail. A big thank you to everyone in the UK for making this possible. Come meet Raj & Simran if and when you are in London… we would love to see you make more memories with DDLJ.”
Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita!
Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)!
Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian… pic.twitter.com/8wjLToBGYc
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 4, 2025
Also Read | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge turns 30: A journey through its songs, where Aditya Chopra’s authorship shone brightest
But while DDLJ continues to delight audiences, even running to this day at Mumbai’s iconic Maratha Mandir, there remains a bittersweet chapter associated with it. Screenwriter Honey Irani, who reportedly co-wrote the film with Aditya Chopra, was denied a writing credit. Recently, her son Farhan Akhtar addressed the matter in a conversation with Mid-Day India, acknowledging the hurt it caused the family years agoeven though they have now moved on.
He said, “Obviously, it was very heart-breaking, I think, for all concerned, because the relationship that my mom shared, we shared, with Yashji, with Pam Aunty (Pamela Chopra, wife of Yash Chopra), with that family, you know what I mean? It was like one family. So I’m just really glad that now all of that is behind us. Things happen between people who love each other, and at some point, you have to find it within yourself to move on, forgive and forget.”
