Aditya Chopra’s West End-style reimagining of a classic hits all the right notes – with a Vishal-Sheykhar twist. Ready for a passport-free trip to the land of love, lehengas, and legendary train chases? Buckle up, because Aditya Chopra’s Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical is rolling into the Manchester Opera House from May 29 to June 21 2025, and it’s bringing a suitcase full of desi feels, dazzling footwork, and a title track that slaps.
Based on the iconic 1995 Bollywood blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Chopra’s musical reboot reimagines Raj and Simran’s love story for a global stage – complete with a fresh English script, a cross-cultural lens, and enough heart to rival a Yash Raj finale. And yes, there will be dhols.
The musical stars Mamma Mia! and Bhangra Nation’s Jena Pandya as Simran and West End heartthrob Ashley Day (An American in Paris, Dynasty) as Roger – Raj’s reinvented Western alter ego. But it’s not just the casting that’s grabbing attention; the new soundtrack is pure fire.
The just-dropped title track “Come Fall In Love” is a full-on East-meets-West celebration, blending lush Indian instrumentation with high-energy musical theatre vibes. Penned by Olivier-winner Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and composed by India’s chart-topping duo Vishal-Sheykhar, it’s designed to be a theatre anthem. Call it Bollywood on Broadway – or better yet, B-Town in the West End.
“We’ve created this song with all our heart,” said composer Sheykhar Ravjiani. “It celebrates the beautiful spirit of India and the cross-cultural magic of East meets West.”
Vishal Dadlani added, “We wanted to arouse a sense of nostalgia for anyone with roots in India, while also introducing Western audiences to our vibrant culture- through food, music, cinema, and spirit. This song is just a teaser for what’s to come.”
Spoiler: there are 18 all-new songs in the show. Eighteen. And if that doesn’t get your musical-loving heart racing, the choreography team might. Rob Ashford (Frozen, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) joins forces with Shruti Merchant (Taj Express), bringing Broadway precision and Bollywood flair to the stage.
Here’s the juicy bit – the musical is set to transfer to London’s West End after its Manchester premiere. And rumour has it that a surprise pop-up performance might happen at the Leicester Square statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Imagine Jena and Ashley performing a duet at the bronze feet of Bollywood’s golden couple. A flashmob? Dhols? Viral TikTok moment? We’re manifesting.
So whether you’re a die-hard DDLJ fan or a theatre buff just vibing with new musicals, this one’s got your name written in mehndi. It’s more than a musical – it’s a cross-cultural love letter with sparkle, sass, and a side of samosas.
Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical
Manchester Opera House: May 29- June 21 2025
Tickets at: comefallinlovemusical.com
