Aditya Chopra’s musical Come Fall In Love to open at San Diego’s The Old Globe on September 14

Filmmaker Aditya Chopra’s Come Fall In Love, the musical adaptation of his classic movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, will open in San Diego’s The Old Globe theatre on September 14.

Chopra’s production banner Yash Raj Films (YRF) shared the news in a post on Twitter, along with a note from the filmmaker.

In the note, Chopra said the aim behind the film’s musical version is to showcase Indian culture to the world audience.

Unlike the movie, which chronicled the love story of Shah Rukh Khan’s Raj and Kajol’s Simran, the musical will follow the lives of Simran, an Indian girl, and Roger, an American.

“Come Fall In Love’ is the story of Simran, an Indian American. She is at the centre of the musical’s story, as she struggles to balance her love for Indian tradition and her family with her love for Roger. He is a white American man who falls madly in love with Simran and then falls in love with her culture and her country. He aspires towards India and finds a new version of himself in India’s energy, values and way of life,” Chopra said.

The filmmaker said he is not “directing DDLJ for Broadway”.

“I’m adapting it as Come Fall In Love to tell the story of how powerful love is in unifying cultures, especially today. In 2022, the notion that DDLJ could be adapted to present a vision of diverse cultures coming together in a story that celebrates love and the power it has to unify everyone, moves me greatly,” he added.

Chopra said the musical’s two lead stars — Austin Colby as Roger and Shoba Narayan as Simran — are the perfect vehicles to drive home the message of cultural unification in a fragmented world.

“They are joined by a cast, crew and creative team that represents all the extraordinary talent Indian cinema and Broadway have to offer. The representation and artistry of India reverberate through every part of this production.”

“Come Fall In Love”, the filmmaker said, is a celebration of “joy, togetherness and inclusivity in a divisive and an increasingly toxic world of intolerance”.

Chopra revealed that to present the movie’s story to a new audience in a new era, he has departed from some aspects of the film that the fans revere.

“But I believe that the heart of Come Fall In Love beats with everything essential in DDLJ even as it speaks, sings and dances to this moment, in a different place and time, with hope, optimism and love,” he stated. 

The filmmaker said he is excited to share the music with the audience, especially those who loved the movie.

“I’m well aware that DDLJ has a special place for many Indians living across the world and, as its original producer and director, I’m well aware of the responsibility I have in representing India to the world,” Chopra said.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which was released on October 20, 1995, propelled its lead stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, to stardom and made them one of the most loved onscreen pairs.

Chopra announced the musical adaptation in October 2021.