In celebration of Holi, the lead stars of ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ Jena Pandya and Ashley Day had a colourful interlude as they rehearse for their roles as Simran and Rog to open in Manchester in May.
The new musical comedy is based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)’, will premiere in the UK at Manchester Opera House from 29 May to 21 June 2025.
Jena Pandya said: “Reprising the iconic Simran from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ for the stage adaptation ‘Come Fall In Love’ is such an honour for me as an artist. The entire team wants to celebrate India, celebrate this historic landmark for South Asians in popular culture. I am proud to be a part of this moment for representation within theatre.
“Our musical talks about inclusivity, embracing change and a celebration of love. The Holi festival connects beautifully with the message of ‘Come Fall In Love’, as it helps people to bond and unite through an immersive community experience like no other. Holi actually plays a role within the musical, helping tell this story of warmth and unity.”
Holi, the festival of spring, love and new life which fell on March 14 this year, is the perfect occasion to capture the romance and energy of the upcoming production. With its themes of love transcending borders and cultures, ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ resonates deeply with the spirit of Holi, making this a fitting tribute to the classic love story’s enduring legacy.
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Ashley Day shared: “Ever since I started working on ‘Come Fall In Love’, I’ve been introduced to so many beautiful Indian and South Asian traditions — and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate Holi with my co-star Jena!
“Holi is all about bringing people together, which is such an important theme of our show. Plus, the joy of throwing that vibrant, colourful powder in the air — and at each other — is just so much fun. So here’s wishing a very Happy Holi to everyone celebrating around the world, especially in the UK!”
Pandya recently played the lead in the new musical ‘Bhangra Nation’ at Birmingham Rep to incredible reviews. Prior to this, she played Sophie in Mamma Mia.
Ashley Day is an actor, singer, and dancer known for his leading performances in both the UK and the US. On screen, Ashley can be seen as a recurring character, Colin McNaughton, in the hit series ‘Dynasty’ (Netflix).
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‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ is set in the UK and India and directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of the record-breaking, award-sweeping Hindi-language film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, lovingly known as DDLJ.
DDLJ is the longest-running title in Indian cinema, playing continuously in Mumbai since its release in 1995. The new musical is set to the exuberant beat of 18 all-new English songs created for the production.
