Shah Rukh Khan, the megastar frequently hailed as Bollywood’s King of Romance, remains an iconic figure in global cinema.
Recently married myself, I seized the opportunity during a meeting in London to ask Mr. Khan for his advice to newlyweds.
Before the actor could respond, his colleague, Kajol, interjected with a playful remark.
“All his films he’s done are about before marriage, not after marriage,” she noted with a laugh.
“Till now, you were a candidate I could’ve given advice to. After marriage, you’re on your own,” Khan jokingly conceded.
However, the celebrated actor, who was in the UK for the unveiling of a statue of himself and Kajol in Leicester Square, did offer some words of wisdom on the subject of romance.
“Till then, I think I got it right. You must have romance, you must sing songs,” he said.
“And you must have watched DDLJ,” Kajol added, referencing their iconic film.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) holds the record as the longest-running film in Indian cinema, starring both Khan and Kajol.
The statue, unveiled on Thursday amidst inclement weather, commemorates the film’s 30th anniversary.
Mr. Khan, a household name, is among India’s most beloved figures, commanding a vast following both domestically and internationally.
Known for his charisma and wit, Khan is often described as Bollywood’s “most important cultural export,” affectionately known to fans as King Khan or the King of Bollywood.
Enthusiastic fans gathered to witness the statue unveiling, hoping to catch a glimpse of Khan and Kajol, capturing photos and expressing their admiration.
Speaking with BBC News afterward, Khan described the statue as akin to having “a life-size doll.”
“I think I’m looking very handsome. You’re also looking very pretty,” he remarked to Kajol.
“It’s like a second thought, but thanks,” she responded humorously.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, often likened to a Bollywood adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, portrays the love story of Raj and Simran across Europe and India, commencing with a train journey from King’s Cross station.
Several scenes from the film were shot in London, including in Leicester Square itself.
The newly unveiled monument joins sculptures of iconic characters such as Harry Potter, Paddington, and Bridget Jones as part of Leicester Square’s “Scenes in the Square” trail.
Khan noted that London was a “very befitting” location for the statue unveiling, highlighting the popularity of Bollywood films in the region.
“England’s audience has been very responsible for Indian cinema’s takeoff globally in modern times,” he asserted.
The actor, who is 60 years old, expressed his eagerness to share the statue with his three children.
Co-star Kajol, also a celebrated actor, described the honor as “amazing” and “a little unbelievable.”
Bollywood, India’s dominant film industry, annually produces hundreds of films and enjoys a vast global following.
However, similar to other film industries worldwide, Bollywood has experienced challenges since the pandemic disrupted cinema operations and fueled the rise of streaming services. The industry is still striving to fully recover.
Addressing the slowdown, Kajol suggested that increased competition for viewers’ attention contributed to the industry’s challenges.
“People suddenly have a choice of whether they want to go to the cinema or not. And if you have so much choice, it automatically makes it more difficult when you have to choose,” she told BBC News.
“But I think community viewing… will always exist,” Mr. Khan added optimistically. “We like to see things, enjoy things together.”
Mr. Khan has dedicated over three decades to the Hindi film industry, transitioning from actor to establishing a major production house and owning a cricket team.
The Bollywood superstar recently entered the billionaire club, ranking among the world’s wealthiest actors, according to a recent report.
This achievement places him alongside global icons such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rihanna, Tiger Woods, and Taylor Swift.
After a four-year hiatus, Mr. Khan returned to the screen in 2023 and has recently hinted at his upcoming action film, “King.”
When asked if more action roles were on the horizon – perhaps even a stint as the next James Bond – Mr. Khan responded: “No. I don’t have the accent. And I don’t like shaken martinis.”
Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail is managed by Heart of London Business Alliance, with support from Westminster City Council.
Last month, a statue of Bridget Jones was added to the display.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, the production company behind Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, expressed “immense pride” in seeing the film honored in the UK.
“To be recognised alongside Hollywood icons like Mary Poppins, Gene Kelly and Harry Potter, shows the cultural impact DDLJ has had the world over.”
Ros Morgan, chief executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, added: “We’re proud to welcome global megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to our Scenes in the Square trail.”
“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a cinematic phenomenon that has shaped generations, and London’s first tribute to Indian cinema honours a story whose magic continues to captivate audiences worldwide.”
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