SRK, Kajol on DDLJ’s legacy as Raj and Simran getting immortalised in London: 'You can’t get away from us, we are like a bad habit'

The installation, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the beloved classic, is the first-ever statue from Indian cinema to be featured at this globally recognised entertainment hub.

In a landmark celebration of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol marked an extraordinary milestone in London, unveiling a bronze statue of their iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge characters, Raj and Simran, at Leicester Square.

The installation, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the beloved classic, is the first-ever statue from Indian cinema to be featured at this globally recognised entertainment hub.

The statue, capturing the duo in a dancing pose from the timeless song “Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna,” now stands among legendary film characters such as Harry Potter, Bridget Jones, Mary Poppins, and Batman—further cementing DDLJ’s place in global pop culture. The film, released in 1995, continues to hold the unmatched distinction of being the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history.

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Speaking to BBC about the emotional moment and what it meant to see Raj and Simran cast in bronze, both Shah Rukh and Kajol spoke about the surreal experience of witnessing their characters immortalised in such an iconic location.

SRK- "It feels as if it isn't ours.."

During the interview, when SRK was asked what felt more fulfilling—having a statue in Leicester Square or knowing that the film remains so culturally relevant that Aryan Khan used the “Palat, palat, palat” scene in The Bads of Bollywood—the superstar responded with characteristic warmth.

SRK replied, “I think ya all of it. And I can’t 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 amazing. And after so many years, even right now, standing in the rain, we know there is a sense of achievement to all this greatfulness. And the music starts playing (Tujhe Dekha Toh), feels as if its not even ours, we are hearing it for the first time! That quality that Diwali Dulhania has, whether its used by Aryan…”

Before he could finish, Kajol jumped in with her trademark humour and nostalgia and stated, “And by the way were somebody else pointed it out, his introduction in DDLJ was in the rain and here we have the statue being inaugurated in the rain—it was meant to be.”

Kajol’s Children Witness the Moment

The journalist also asked about Kajol’s children Nysa and Yug being present for the unveiling. SRK affectionately described the scene, "Her (Kajol's) son is wearing a leather jacket and daughter is dressed up in a white salwar kameez,” to which Kajol quickly added, “It was not planned!”

When asked how surreal it felt to have her children there, Kajol shared a touching reflection. Kajol expressed, “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s a little unbelievable and I am a little awestruck by it as well! So I have to go and see it little more, little closely with my specs on! But the one thing that I will treasure is the fact that all four of us were standing in front of it. It was just too cute.”

Also read: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol make history as they unveil bronze statue in Leicester Square as they make 30 years of DDLJ

“Me and Kajol are like bad habit…” — SRK

In classic SRK style, he summed up the timeless charm of Raj and Simran—and their forever bond. SRK smiled, “In Dilwale Dulhania me and Kajol are like bad habit—you can’t get away from us.”

Thirty years after its release, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continues to define romance for generations. And now, with Raj and Simran immortalised in Leicester Square, its legacy shines brighter than ever—not just in India, but across the world.