30 Years of 'DDLJ': Britain's Railway Partners with Yash Raj Films to Celebrate Love and Cultural Connection
UK-India Collaboration Marks 200 Years of Railways and 30 Years of Bollywood Classic 'DDLJ'.
Britain’s railway is joining forces with India’s leading film production company, Yash Raj Films (YRF), to celebrate the unifying power of love as part of Railway 200, a year-long commemoration of 200 years of modern railways. The collaboration coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Bollywood blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), a film that has left an indelible mark on South Asian pop culture and features several iconic scenes shot in the UK.
The partnership was announced as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations, recognizing the romance associated with train travel. YRF is set to debut its stage adaptation of DDLJ, titled Come Fall in Love -The DDLJ Musical (CFIL), in the UK. The musical will open at Manchester Opera House on May 29, 2025, and run until June 21, 2025.
In honor of this cultural collaboration, immersive activations are being planned at railway stations in Manchester and London, aiming to bring the magic of Bollywood and British rail history together.
Directed by Aditya Chopra, who helmed the original film, Come Fall in Love - The DDLJ Musical follows Simran, a young British Indian woman caught between tradition and her heart when she falls in love with a British man named Roger. The production will feature 18 original English-language songs, with music composed by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde). The creative team also includes choreographer Rob Ashford (Disney’s Frozen), Indian dance co-choreographer Shruti Merchant (Taj Express), and scenic designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical).
Suzanne Donnelly, Executive Director of Railway 200, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “We’re very pleased to partner with Yash Raj Films and celebrate the enduring romance of rail and the power of connection across the world. The railway has long inspired filmmakers and shaped our cultural landscape. Its bicentenary 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.”
YRF’s CEO, Akshaye Widhani, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “YRF has always brought stories that are rooted in India yet have a global footprint. To celebrate 30 years of DDLJ, we are bringing its stage adaptation to the UK. This partnership with Railway 200 allows us to spread the message of love, diversity, and inclusivity.”
With the musical’s UK premiere set in Manchester and a series of railway station activations planned, this collaboration underscores how railways and cinema can bridge cultures and bring people together through the universal language of love.