Top Theatre Actors Jena Pandya and Ashley Day will play the iconic lovers Simran and Rog (Roger) in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, the new musical comedy based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Cultures collide, and West End meets Bollywood in this joyous, globe-trotting new rom-com starring Jena Pandya (Mamma Mia!, Bhangra Nation) and Ashley Day (Netflix’s Dynasty, An American in Paris), and adapted from India’s longest-running blockbuster movie –Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, also known as DDLJ. DDLJ is the longest-running title in Indian cinema, and it has been playing continuously in Mumbai since its release in 1995.
Meet Simran – a young British woman whose future is all set with an arranged marriage back in India – as she sets off around Europe for one last summer of freedom. But getting stranded with laid-back, party-loving Roger isn’t in the guidebook, and now the unlikely pair find that falling in love is just a passport to trouble. Can Roger possibly win over her strict father? Can Simran stay true to her heritage and her heart? Perhaps their different worlds aren’t really so far away…
Directed by Aditya Chopra, director of the original record-breaking film, Come Fall in Love whisks you from Paris and Rome to the stunning yellow mustard fields of Punjab, in a dizzying, colourful new journey set to the exuberant beat of 18 new English songs written especially for the stage.
Earlier, Mr. Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, told me what makes him the most proud about the film, “So, while I love the creative part of the show, what makes me the most proud is, I think the representation. We have been able to marry two cultures seamlessly. It is a true proud moment for India as well. It is the best of the best from there, the best of the best from here – collaborating, working together. You know this could be the future of entertainment. This type of movie to theatre show is what could happen more and more. There can be many forms and different mediums of entertainment today. All in all, there is so much going for this. So, it’s a great feeling.”
Jena Pandya recently played the lead in the new musical Bhangra Nation at Birmingham Rep to incredible reviews. Prior to this, Jena played Sophie in Mamma Mia. Jena has worked with screen and stage director Andy Fickman multiple times, including playing Arlene in 13 Going on 30.
Ashley Day is an actor, singer, and dancer known for his leading performances in both the UK and the USA. On-screen, Ashley can be seen as a recurring character, Colin McNaughton, in the hit series Dynasty (Netflix). Ashley’s theatre career includes leading roles such as: Bob Wallace in White Christmas (5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle); Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh); Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris); Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, West End); Jerry Mulligan in An American in Paris (Dominion Theatre, West End); Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Kilworth House Theatre); Bill Calhoun/Lucentio in Kiss Me, Kate (National Tour); Troy Bolton in High School Musical (National Tour); and Curly in Oklahoma (National Tour), for which he received a nomination for Best Performer in a Musical at the UK Theatre Awards. Other stage credits include Freddie Falls in Freddie Falls in Love (Joyce Theater, New York); The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre, West End); The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium, West End); Babes in Arms (Chichester Festival Theatre); On The Town (English National Opera); Evita (Adelphi Theatre, West End); Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre, West End); and Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker (National Tour).
The award-winning creative team for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical includes Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls with Tina Fey, Olivier Award winner for Legally Blonde with Laurence O’Keefe), Music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (popularly called Vishal- Sheykhar in India), Choreography by Rob Ashford (Tony, Olivier, and Emmy Award winner whose credits include Frozen, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway), Co-Choreography – Indian Dances by Shruti Merchant (Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl, Taj Express), Scenic Design by Derek McLane (two-time Tony Award winner whose credits include MJ the Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway and West End), Casting is by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting, Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman, Sound Design by Tony Gayle, Video Design by Akhila Krishnan, the Musical Supervisor and Arranger is Ted Arthur and Musical Direction is by Ben Holder.
Come Fall In Love as the show makes its UK premiere at Manchester Opera House on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, and runs until Saturday, June 21st.
Watch this space for more!
