Come Fall in Love: A Joyfully Kitsch Review of the DDLJ Musical

When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (better known as DDLJ) premiered in 1995, it revolutionized Bollywood cinema, introducing audiences to a captivating love story centered on Raj and Simran—two young Indians navigating love and cultural shifts in London. Fast forward thirty years, and DDLJ remains a cultural phenomenon, still screening at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema and cherished by fans singing its soundtrack at weddings.

Director Aditya Chopra’s stage adaptation, Come Fall in Love, takes an unexpected turn by replacing Raj with “Rog,” an all-English character, offering a fresh, multiracial perspective on the original tale. The new musical features original songs from Bollywood duo Vishal-Shekhar and a modernized storyline by Nell Benjamin, who co-wrote Mean Girls.

The characters reflect somewhat broad stereotypes: billionaire Rog (Ashley Day) is a jaded romantic dealing with his divorced parents, while Simran (Jena Pandya), a driven second-generation immigrant, finds herself engaged to a family friend back in Punjab. Their paths intertwine while Interrailing across Europe, igniting an unexpected romance.

Though the plot may be predictable, the chemistry between Day and Pandya is palpable, as they artfully dance around each other, bringing an infectious energy to their unfolding love story. Choreography by Rob Ashford and Shruti Merchant captivates, with an ensemble cast that buzzes around Derek McLane’s vibrant set. Noteworthy performances come from Kinshuk Sen as the comedic Kuljit and Kara Lane as Rog’s enthusiastic mother Minky, who shines in the lively number “Hot and Independent and Hot.”

While Come Fall in Love may not reach the emotional depth of DDLJ’s iconic scores, its buoyant closing number, “Holi Hai,” is a triumphant celebration that gets the audience on their feet. The production, while not the most intricate exploration of diaspora identity, triumphs as a loud and delightfully kitsch homage to the spirit of Bollywood.

This musical is playing at the Manchester Opera House until June 21st.