Bollywood duo to have statue in Leicester Square

A statue of the “King of Bollywood” Shah Rukh Khan and one of his co-stars Kajol will be unveiled in London’s Leicester Square later this year.

The statue marks 30 years of the longest-running film in Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, starring both actors.

It will join sculptures of Harry Potter, Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins and Batman as part of Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail.

Mark Williams, deputy chief executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, said it was “fantastic” to add the “titans of international cinema” to the trail.

“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the most successful and important Bollywood films of all time,” Mr Williams said.

He added that it was the first film featuring Leicester Square to be added to the trail.

The film, often dubbed the Romeo and Juliet of Bollywood cinema, follows Raj and Simran’s love story across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross station.

Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, which produced the 1995 film, said: “This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema.”

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