Shah Rukh Khan Surprises Cast Of DDLJ Musical During London Rehearsals

May 14, 2025 : Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan made an unexpected visit to the rehearsal studio of Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, stunning cast and crew as the stage adaptation of his iconic film gears up for its UK premiere.

The musical, directed by Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) filmmaker Aditya Chopra, is set to run at the Manchester Opera House from May 29 to June 21. This adaptation brings a fresh, cross-cultural reimagining of the 1995 blockbuster that helped define modern Hindi cinema and cemented Khan’s status as the “King of Bollywood.”

Khan’s visit to the London rehearsal came as a surprise to the entire team. Lead actress Jena Pandya, who plays Simran in the musical, expressed her excitement:

“Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honor. He was incredibly warm and supportive. Performing scenes for him that he and Kajol originally brought to life was surreal.”

Ashley Day, who portrays Rog—the stage version of Khan’s iconic character Raj—called the experience deeply moving:

“It was special in a way that didn’t need words. The few we did share, from one Raj to another Rog, were unforgettable.”

The production features 18 brand-new English songs composed by acclaimed Indian music duo Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani.

“Shah Rukh loved the songs, the voices, and the overall energy of the production,” said Dadlani.
Ravjiani added, “Meeting the original Raj was a moment of joy for everyone involved.”

Come Fall in Love had its world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego in 2022 and now lands in the UK during the 30th anniversary year of the original film. The show features book and lyrics by Tony nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde), choreography by Tony winner Rob Ashford, and traditional Indian dance sequences choreographed by Shruti Merchant.

The supporting cast includes Irvine Iqbal as Baldev, Kara Lane as Minky, and Harveen Mann-Neary as Lajjo. Scenic design is by Tony Award-winning designer Derek McLane.

For Shah Rukh Khan, whose acting career began in theatre, the visit was a poignant return to his roots. As the beloved story of Raj and Simran finds new life on stage, the actor’s presence offered a moment of inspiration and continuity for the cast and creators alike.