Did Shah Rukh Khan Ever Imagine 'DDLJ' Would Achieve This Iconic Status?
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Mumbai, Dec 5 (NationPress) Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the legendary movie "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ), Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol inaugurated a bronze statue representing their characters Raj and Simran at Leicester Square in London.
DDLJ stands as the first Indian film to receive such an honor at Leicester Square, joining the ranks of other beloved characters from classic films including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, Singin' in the Rain, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
In response to this remarkable honor, King Khan expressed his surprise, stating that he had no foresight that "DDLJ" would evolve into such a cultural phenomenon.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of a film like this and am deeply thankful. Honestly, I think none of us truly anticipated how DDLJ would resonate in people's hearts. Adi (Aditya Chopra) and the team believed it would be a good film, but I doubt anyone could have foreseen its impact and what it represents today," SRK shared.
Discussing the importance of DDLJ's statue in London, Shah Rukh Khan remarked, "It's very meaningful for both of us (Kajol & me) and the Indian film industry as a whole! The UK, particularly London, has played a significant role in our rise to fame, as we found greater success overseas than many other actors at that time, primarily in the UK market."
He reminisced, "It all began with a group of young filmmakers creating DDLJ; Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar, who was an assistant director back then. It was a fun shoot spanning 30-40 days, filmed quickly in Switzerland and England. We had quite a carefree shooting style, and here in Leicester Square, we even filmed a quick scene without notifying anyone!"
"This is a proud moment for Indian cinema, and it is fitting for it to be recognized in the UK, which initiated the global acknowledgment of Indian films," SRK concluded.