Khan’s visit wasn’t limited to a quick meet-and-greet. He watched the rehearsals, interacted warmly with every cast and crew member, and reminisced about his own early days in theatre. The energy of the room, said those present, shifted the moment he arrived
In a heartwarming surprise, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan visited the London rehearsal room of Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, the stage adaptation of the iconic 1995 romantic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, in which he originally starred as Raj.
Directed by Aditya Chopra, the musical is set to make its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House from May 29 to June 21. The show reimagines the beloved film for international audiences, with a fresh cast and a cross-cultural narrative set in the UK and India.
Jena Pandya, who plays Simran in the production, shared her excitement over SRK’s visit. “Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honour. Being able to show him some of the iconic scenes that he and Kajol originally brought to life was an incredible feeling and will be a lasting memory,” she said.
Ashley Day, who plays Rog—the musical’s version of Raj—said the moment Khan entered the rehearsal space was deeply emotional for the entire cast and crew. “It was a moment that quietly landed on all of us—special in a way that didn’t need words,” he said. “He greeted us all with such love and genuine excitement about what we’ve been building. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to see a story beloved by millions being reimagined 30 years later.”
Khan’s visit wasn’t limited to a quick meet-and-greet. He watched the rehearsals, interacted warmly with every cast and crew member, and reminisced about his own early days in theatre. The energy of the room, said those present, shifted the moment he arrived.
Music composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, who have created the musical score for the show, were also present during Khan’s visit. “Having Shah Rukh visit our workshop was an amazingly positive experience,” said Vishal. “Raj met Rog, so to speak. He loved the songs, the voices, and the performances!”
Sheykhar added, “His aura and sheer presence aside, meeting the original Raj was an absolute delight for everyone. Theatre holds a very special place in Shah Rukh’s heart, and you could feel that energy in the room.” The creative team for the musical includes lyrics by Nell Benjamin, choreography by Rob Ashford with Indian dance co-choreographed by Shruti Merchant, and musical supervision by Ted Arthur. Scenic, lighting, sound, and video designs have been handled by a global team of award-winning professionals.
Khan’s visit not only boosted the morale of the cast but also reinforced the enduring magic of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge—a film that continues to captivate audiences across generations, now in a bold new theatrical form.
