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Producers of Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical have announced full casting for the show’s premiere at Manchester Opera House next month.

Based on blockbuster Indian movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), the English-language premiere of this new musical is running at Manchester Opera House from 29 May to 21 June 2025.

Already announced are the show’s two leads – Jena Pandya (Bhangra Nation, Mamma Mia!) and Ashley Day (Dynasty – Netflix) as Rog.

They are joined by Irvine Iqbal (The Father and the Assassin) as Baldev, Kara Lane (The Addams Family) as Minky, Harveen Mann-Neary (Bend It Like Beckham) as Lajjo, Amonik Melaco (Sleeping Beauty – Palladium Panto) as Ben, Millie O’Connell (Six The Musical) as Cookie, Ankur Sabharwal (Snakes and Ladders) as Ajit, Kinshuk Sen (Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical) as Kuljit, Russell Wilcox (Exit The King) as Rog Sr.

Come Fall in Love - first day of rehearsals. Photo by Craig Sugden
Come Fall in Love – first day of rehearsals. Photo by Craig Sugden

The Ensemble will feature Erica-Jayne Alden (A Christmas Carol: The Musical), Tash Bacarese-Hamilton (Frankie Goes to Bollywood), Scarlett Behl (Cinderella), Sophie Camble (Singin’ in the Rain), Gabrielle Cocca (Frozen The Musical), Rohan Dhupar (Mamma Mia!), Joe Django (All England Dance Gala), Alexander Emery (Love Never Dies), Kuldeep Goswami (Bhangra Nation), Ella Grant (Once Upon a Time Tour), Yasmin Harrison (Burlesque The Musical), Mohit Mathur (Beyond Bollywood), Tom Mussell (Burlesque The Musical), Purvi Parmar (Little Shop of Horrors), Saaj Raja (Best of Enemies), Manu Sarswat (Cake The Musical), Garrett Tennant (Mamma Mia!), Sonya Venugopal (Life of Pi), and the Swings are Emily Goodenough (Sunny Afternoon), Marina Lawrence-Mahrra (The Secret Silk), and Jordan Maisuria-Wake (Peter Pan).

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical is set in the UK and India and directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of the movie.

The story follows Simran, a young British Indian woman preparing for an arranged marriage in India. Before her wedding, she persuades her traditional father to let her experience a summer of freedom in Europe. There, she falls in love with Rog, a carefree British boy who challenges everything her father values. Can Simran honour her heritage and follow her heart? And can Rog win over her family?

A lively soundtrack features 18 original songs, blending Bollywood rhythms with Broadway flair, and promising to bring a fresh and colourful clash of cultures to the stage.

The new songs are by Indian composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, and the show has a book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde).

Choreography for the musical is by Rob Ashford (Frozen, How to Succeed on Broadway), with Associate Choreography – Indian Dances by Shruti Merchant (Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl, Taj Express), Set Design by Derek McLane (MJ the Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Casting 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.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, often referred to as DDLJ, is a landmark film in Indian cinema, often regarded as one of Bollywood’s most iconic romantic comedies. Released in 1995 and directed by Aditya Chopra, the film tells the story of Raj and Simran, two young Indians living abroad who fall in love during a European trip, challenging familial expectations and traditions. Known for its heartwarming romance, memorable music, and cultural significance, DDLJ has become the longest-running film in Indian cinema history, playing continuously in Mumbai since its release.

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Main photo: Come Fall in Love The DDLJ Musical. Photo by Matt Crockett

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