Britain’s Railway and Yash Raj Films Collaborate to Celebrate Love and Cultural Unity

As Britain prepares to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway in 2025 with Railway 200, a special UK-India cultural partnership has been announced with India’s leading film production house, Yash Raj Films (YRF). This collaboration highlights the unifying power of love, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of YRF’s iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) in 2025.

A pop-culture milestone for Indians and the South Asian diaspora worldwide, DDLJ is one of Indian cinema’s all-time highest-grossing films. The film was extensively shot in the UK, including the famous King’s Cross Railway Station, where the lead characters, played by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, meet and discover their love for each other.

The partnership between Britain’s railway and YRF was unveiled as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations, recognizing the enduring romance of train travel. YRF’s upcoming Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical will be at the heart of this collaboration, with immersive activations planned at railway stations in Manchester and London. The English-language musical adaptation of DDLJ, directed by Aditya Chopra, will open at Manchester Opera House on May 29, 2025, and run until June 21, 2025.

The musical tells the story of Simran, a young British-Indian woman engaged to a family friend in India through an arranged marriage. However, things take a turn when she falls in love with Roger, a British man. With an original score featuring 18 English songs, Come Fall in Love is a true fusion of East and West. Music is composed by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, while the book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde).

The creative team includes choreographer Rob Ashford (Disney’s Frozen), co-choreographer for Indian dances Shruti Merchant (Taj Express), scenic designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), and casting director David Grindrod from Grindrod Burton Casting.

Since its release in 1995, DDLJ has become the longest-running title in Indian cinema, playing continuously at a Mumbai theatre.

Suzanne Donnelly, Executive Director of Railway 200, said:

“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 30th 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, said:

“We are delighted to collaborate with Railway 200, as part of the railway’s 200th anniversary. YRF has always stood for bringing stories that are rooted in India, yet have a global footprint, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is a testament to that. To celebrate 30 years of DDLJ, we are bringing the stage adaptation of the movie — Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical to the UK! Our musical is set to have its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House on May 29. One of the most iconic scenes of DDLJ was filmed at King’s Cross Railway Station, which we are showcasing in Come Fall In Love! 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.”

About Railway 200

The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, which changed the world forever. Under Railway 200, a year-long series of celebrations will showcase the railway’s impact on Britain and the world. The initiative encourages everyone to participate in this once-in-a-generation event through exhibitions, activities, and events. For more information, visit www.railway200.co.uk.

About Yash Raj Films

Established in 1970 by the late Yash Chopra, Yash Raj Films (YRF) is India’s premier film production house, having produced over 80 films in its five-decade-long history. As a fully integrated studio, YRF manages every aspect of filmmaking in-house, including production, marketing, distribution, talent management, and merchandising. Known for its blockbusters and pioneering storytelling, YRF is one of the most successful and influential entertainment conglomerates in India.