Bollywood star gets ‘life-size doll’ in UK

Megastar Shah Rukh Khan is often described as Bollywood’s King of Romance.

As a recently married man, I can’t help but ask him when we meet in central London: What advice does he have for newlyweds?

Before Khan could answer, his actor friend Kajol intervened.

“All the films he has done are about before marriage, not after marriage,” she laughed.

“Until now, you were a candidate I could give advice to. After marriage, you are on your own,” Khan confirmed.

But the superstar, who is in England for the unveiling of his and Kajol’s new statue in Leicester Square, still offered some pearls of wisdom.

“By then I think I got it right. There has to be romance, there has to be singing,” he said.

“And you must have watched DDLJ too,” Kajol added.

DDLJ – or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – is the longest-running film in Indian cinema and features both actors.

The new statue, unearthed under monsoon-like conditions on Thursday, commemorates the 30th anniversary of its first appearance.

A well-known name in India, Khan is one of the country’s most popular stars with millions of fans at home and abroad.

The charming and entertaining actor is often described as Bollywood’s “greatest cultural export”, with millions of fans affectionately calling him King Khan or the King of Bollywood.

Fans lined up to get a glimpse of him and Kajol at the statue’s unveiling ceremony, with many screaming and posing for photos when they arrived.

Speaking to BBC News later, Khan said the statue looked like a “life-size doll”.

“I think I look very handsome. You look very beautiful too,” he said to Kajol.

“I thought twice, but thanks,” he replied, laughing.

Often referred to as the Romeo and Juliet of Bollywood cinema, the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge follows the love story of Raj and Simran across Europe and India, starting on a train from King’s Cross station.

Some scenes were shot in London and Leicester Square.

The new monument joins statues of Harry Potter, Paddington and Bridget Jones as part of Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail.

Khan said it was “very appropriate” for the statue to be unveiled in London due to the appeal of Bollywood films.

“The UK audience bears great responsibility for the rise of Indian cinema worldwide in modern times,” he said.

The 60-year-old man said he was “dying to show” it to his three children.

Lead actress Kajol, who is also a famous actress, added that it felt “wonderful” and “a little incredible” to be remembered in this way.

Bollywood, India’s dominant film industry, produces hundreds of films every year and has a large following among Indians around the world.

But like others around the world, it has seen ups and downs since the pandemic closed cinemas for months and caused many to turn to streaming services. It has not yet returned to its former glory.

When asked about the slowdown, Kajol said that she thinks it has to do with there being much more competition for viewers nowadays.

“People suddenly have a choice about whether they want to go to the cinema or not. And if you have so many options, it automatically makes it more difficult when you have to choose,” he told BBC News.

“But I think community viewing… will always exist,” Khan added. “We like to see things together and enjoy things together.”

Khan has spent more than three decades in the Hindi film industry and reinvented himself from being an actor to running a major production company and owning a cricket team.

Bollywood’s superstar recently joined the billionaires club According to the new list, he became one of the richest actors in the world for the first time.

This puts her in the league of global celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, pop star Rihanna, golfer Tiger Woods and singer Taylor Swift.

After a four-year break, he returned to movies in 2023 and recently promoted his new action movie King.

But when asked if there were more action movies ahead of us – maybe even a stint like the next James Bond – Khan replied: “No. I don’t have that accent. And I don’t like shaken martinis either.”

Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail is run by the Heart of London Business Alliance, supported by Westminster City Council.

A statue of Bridget Jones was added to the exhibit last month.

Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, which produced Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, said it was “a moment of great pride” to see the film honored in the UK.

“Being recognized alongside Hollywood icons such as Mary Poppins, Gene Kelly and Harry Potter demonstrates the cultural impact DDLJ has made around the world.”

Ros Morgan, CEO of Heart of London Business Alliance, added: “We are proud to welcome global megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to our Stages in the Square.

“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a cinematic phenomenon that shaped generations, and London’s first tribute to Indian cinema honors a story whose magic continues to captivate audiences around the world.”