Renowned composing duo, Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, will be In Conversation at the Closing Gala ceremony of UK Asian Film Festival – the world’s longest running South Asian film festival outside the Subcontinent – taking place on Sunday 11th May at Riverside Studios, London. The musical duo will be discussing the forthcoming stage musical, Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical, a theatre adaptation of one of the greatest and most popular films in Indian cinema, Yash Raj Films’ Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (popularly called Vishal & Shekhar in India) are among the biggest names in Indian music, with a career spanning two decades, having delivered some of the most-loved musical hits of the Indian film industry. These multifaceted musical composers are singers, songwriters, producers, and live performers. They have been nominated for and won almost every Indian music award. Their unique brand of music has had a huge and lasting influence on Indian popular music, through which they have been rightfully called “architects of the modern sound of Bollywood.”
The duo has brought an exuberant beat to 18 new English songs written especially for the stage. Earlier, the title song was released, leaving fans wanting more!
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Speaking about the song, Sheykhar Ravjiani said, “I have enjoyed every moment of the experience of creating the music for ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical‘, and I’m glad Aditya Chopra got us onboard for this project. This song is incredibly special – I’m sure the audience will absolutely love it and that it will heighten their anticipation for the show. This high-energy anthem captures the beautiful spirit of India and celebrates the cross-cultural connection of East meets West. It is sure to connect with everyone regardless of who they are and where they’re from! I can definitely say we’ve created this song with all our heart, and if you wish to know more about India and its vibrant culture, then you must go and watch Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical.”
Vishal Dadlani echoed similar sentiments. He said, “Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical celebrates India’s culture, tradition, and everything India is loved for. Working on the musical has been hugely satisfying. For the ‘Come Fall In Love’ title track, we wanted to arouse a strong sense of nostalgia for someone who has roots in India and, at the same time, would introduce people in the West to India’s great heritage, which is prevalent in its food, music, cinema, and culture. Nell Benjamin wrote the song as an energetic glorification of India, an India that is even more than just colours and festivals, an India that resides in her people. I’m thrilled to have that thought so beautifully evident in our song. Come Fall In Love is a musical made with a lot of heart and will resonate with a diverse audience – the ‘Come Fall In Love” track is just a teaser to what’s in store for you.”
Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical is directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of the record-breaking, award-sweeping Hindi-language film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, also known as DDLJ. The musical is all set to premiere in the UK at Manchester Opera House on Thursday, 29 May. The new musical comedy based on YRF’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will star Jena Pandya and Ashley Day, who will play the roles of Simran and Roger, respectively.
UK Asian Film Festival Closing Gala will also feature legendary music producer and composer Biddu, in conversion onstage among luminaries from Indian cinema such as — director Sandhya Suri, British-Indian filmmaker known for her intimate, socially resonant storytelling across documentary and fiction; Shobhaa De, trailblazing Indian novelist and columnist, known for her bold depictions of urban elite life. They will be felicitated at the Awards Gala alongside celebrated writers, filmmakers, and broadcasters, whose work bridges cultures through powerful storytelling, Yavar Abbas. Onir, an award-winning Indian filmmaker and LGBTQI trailblazer known for bold, compassionate storytelling on themes of identity, love, and human rights, will also be in attendance.
This year’s “Longing and Belonging” theme will celebrate cinema that explores one of the most profound human experiences—the search for connection, identity, and purpose. In every corner of the world, people grapple with feelings of longing—the ache for love, the pull of home, the need for acceptance, and the pursuit of meaning. Through the lens of cinema, these universal desires come to life in stories of displaced immigrants, journeys of self-discovery, quests for love, and the tension between tradition and modernity. As society moves forward, cinema remains a powerful tool for change—one that sparks conversations, amplifies voices, and builds empathy.
To find out more: www.ukaff.com
