Britain’s Railway joins hands with Yash Raj Films to celebrate unifying power of love

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As part of plans to mark 200 years of the modern railway in 2025, called Railway 200, Britain’s railway joins hands with India’s biggest film production company, Yash Raj Films, for a unique UK-India cultural celebration to highlight the unifying power of love.

YRF is also celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popularly called DDLJ, one of the all-time highest-grossing Hindi films in the history of Indian cinema, in 2025! DDLJ is the longest-running title in Indian cinema and has been playing continuously in Mumbai since its release back in 1995.
DDLJ is a pop culture milestone for India and Indians and South Asians worldwide. It was shot extensively in the UK, including at the iconic King’s Cross Railway Station where the film’s lead pair Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol meet for the first time and also realize their love for each other.

Britain’s railway and YRF have announced their cultural collaboration as part of the Valentine’s Day celebrations, recognizing the romance of train travel. YRF is currently producing the musical adaptation of DDLJ, titled Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical in UK. The show will open at Manchester Opera House on May 29. It plays through until 21^st June.

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Britain’s railway and YRF will celebrate how love can bring cultures together with immersive activations being planned at Manchester and London Railway stations.

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, an English language musical, is being directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of DDLJ. It follows Simran, a young British Indian woman, who finds herself engaged to a family friend in India as an arranged marriage. However, the plot thickens when she falls in love with a British man named Roger. Jena Pandya and Ashley Day have been roped in as leads.

Says Jena (Bhangra Nation, Mamma Mia), “I’m so thrilled to be playing Simran. It is amazing to be part of telling a story that means so much to so many people. The original film has become a part of the cultural fabric of India, and to get to bring this story to life on stage in Manchester is such a joy.”

Ashley Day, an actor, singer and dancer known for his leading performances in both the UK and the USA (An American in Paris, Dynasty) states, “Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical is a true romantic comedy. The script is incredibly funny and full of heart and what l love most is how it shows two cultures, each staying true to their roots while embracing something bigger than themselves. The music has this unbelievable mix of musical theatre and Punjabi pop, which is something I have never seen done on stage. The show is about family, love, empathy and fighting for what truly matters. True honest love! Especially in today’s world, that message feels more relevant than ever. It is a timeless story, and I am thrilled to be bringing Rog to life on stage.”

The production will feature an original score, complete with 18 English songs. The core team is truly an amalgamation of East Meets West. Music is by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and the book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde).

The creative team also includes choreographer Rob Ashford (Frozen), co-choreographer for Indian dances Shruti Merchant (Taj Express), scenic designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) and casting director David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting, Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman, Sound Design by Tony Gayle and Video Design by Akhila Krishnan are other credits. The Musical Supervisor and Arranger is Ted Arthur and Musical Direction is by Ben Holder.

Suzanne Donnelly, executive director of Railway 200 says, “We’re very pleased to partner with Yash Raj Films and celebrate the enduring romance of rail and power of connection across the world. The railway has long inspired filmmakers and helped to shape our cultural landscape. Its bicentenary this year provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of this hugely successful, rail-related Bollywood blockbuster, and its new musical opening in the UK this summer.”

Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, adds, “We are delighted to collaborate with Railway 200, as part of the railway’s 200^th anniversary. YRF has always stood for bringing stories that are rooted in India, yet have a global footprint and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a testament to that. So, this is the perfect moment for us to partner with Railway 200. Together, we want to spread the message of how unifying love can be and how celebrating diversity and inclusivity is the need of the hour.”

2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations are planned throughout the year, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow. Railway 200 encourages everyone to join in this once-in-a-generation opportunity, whether by displaying the Railway 200 logo, organizing events and activities, running competitions or sharing rail stories.

Yash Raj Films was founded by Yash Chopra. It is the only privately held and fully-integrated studio in India, producing and having produced over 80 films. YRF has been a production house for over 50 years and is a vertically integrated studio in every sense, controlling almost every part of the value chain from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, music and home entertainment, marketing, design, digital, licensing, merchandizing, talent management, brand partnerships, music studios and film studios. With all these as in-house facilities, it is one of the most coveted entertainment conglomerates in the country. YRF’s top grossers have already placed the company in the big league of producers worldwide, making it one of the largest film-making entities in the nation.

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