Rani Mukerji makes surprise appearance at ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’ in Manchester
Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra made a surprise appearance at the opening night of ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’ in Manchester on Wednesday.
The new English musical comedy is based on one of Indian cinema’s most iconic films, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ), and officially opened at the historic Manchester Opera House.
VIPs and audiences gathered for a gala performance, marking a significant cultural milestone for both Indian cinema and international artistic collaboration between India and the UK. The production, which will run in Manchester until Saturday, 21st June 2025, highlights Manchester’s commitment to global storytelling and cross-cultural exchange.
Set in both the UK and India, ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’ is directed by Aditya Chopra, the original filmmaker behind the award-winning ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’. ‘DDLJ’ holds the distinction of being the longest-running film in Indian cinema, continuously screening in Mumbai since its 1995 release. The musical features 18 brand-new English songs and brings together a cast comprising rising British talent from Manchester and the North West, alongside internationally acclaimed South Asian artists.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It was a privilege to represent the UK government in India last month, where I met with my ministerial counterparts to strengthen the cultural ties between our two nations. That bond is reflected in Bollywood’s most cherished stories arriving in the UK. I hope ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ proves to be a tremendous success in Manchester, showcasing a talented British cast, including many local performers from the North West.”
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Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, remarked, “We’re proud to welcome the UK premiere of ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ to Manchester, a city that embraces creativity, diversity, and international storytelling. This extraordinary reimagining of a beloved Indian film stands as a landmark moment in cultural collaboration between the UK and India, and we’re honoured that Manchester is at its centre.”
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, added, “It is always an honour for us to bring India’s stories to the world. We are thrilled to present ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ at the magnificent Manchester Opera House. ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ is not only YRF’s treasured IP, but one of the biggest in Indian cinema history, a story that has resonated globally for over 30 years. We are excited to introduce this magical rendition of DDLJ to new audiences, as well as those who hold the original film close to their hearts. We hope to entertain audiences with ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’, bringing all the bold, vibrant flavours of Bollywood to the UK stage. YRF extends its deepest gratitude to Lisa Nandy for her support in fostering cultural ties between the UK and India, and to Manchester for its warm hospitality and encouragement.”
The musical stars Jena Pandya (‘Bhangra Nation’, ‘Mamma Mia’) as Simran and Ashley Day (‘An American in Paris’, ‘Dynasty’) as Rog, alongside Irvine Iqbal, Kara Lane, Harveen Mann-Neary, Amonik Melaco, Millie O’Connell, Ankur Sabharwal, Kinshuk Sen, and Russell Wilcox.
The world premiere of ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ took place in 2022 at The Old Globe, San Diego, California, and was produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF).
