Shah Rukh Khan apologised to Kajol for not being able to attend her chat show with Twinkle Khanna.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol recently celebrated a landmark moment in their respective careers as they unveiled a life-size statue of their iconic characters, Raj and Simran, in London’s famous Leicester Square. The event marked the 30th anniversary of their beloved film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The two superstars flew to London for the occasion and later spoke with BBC Asian Network. During the interview, Shah Rukh was asked why, despite being such close friends with Kajol, he hadn’t appeared on her recent talk show, Too Much with Kajol & Twinkle, which she co-hosted with Twinkle Khanna.
In response, Shah Rukh explained that a recent shoulder injury while filming King had prevented him from attending. “I’m doing a film right now, so I told her, and I think I was injured too, I had broken my shoulder. I felt really bad, I would have loved to have come on it.” He added with his trademark wit, “But except for the food-eating part, there’s just so much food to eat there. Really too much.”
He went on to apologise to Kajol and Twinkle Khanna and said, “I’m so sorry to you and to Tina as well. I should have been on the show. Just to let you know, I have seen all of them. In my penance, I wasn’t on the show, so now I have to see all of them.”
Kajol and Twinkle’s reality show, which featured some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, has frequently made headlines due to the hosts’ candid remarks. One notable controversy arose when Kajol suggested that marriage should have an expiry date. She said, “I definitely think so. What says you will get married to the right person at the right time? So, you should have a renewal option. And if there’s an expiry date, then we don’t have to suffer for too long.”
Shah Rukh Khan calls DDLJ ‘dal chawal’; Kajol says it’s biryani as they get a statue in London: ‘Like a bad habit’
Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan reflected upon the coincidence that the actress’s children, Nysa and Yug, were respectively wearing a white salwar kameez and a leather jacket, just like their characters in the film.
This year marked major milestones for two of Hindi cinema’s most enduring classics, Sholay and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, films that continue to entertain and shape generations. Sholay completed 50 years, while DDLJ celebrated its 30th anniversary. And this month is special for both: Sholay is gearing up for a nationwide re-release in a restored 4K version with its original ending reinstated, while DDLJ commemorated its milestone with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of Raj and Simran at London’s iconic Leicester Square.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol flew down for the occasion, and in a scene straight out of a movie, the statue was inaugurated amid pouring rain. After the ceremony, the duo sat down with BBC Asian Network and reflected on experiencing such a surreal moment. Shah Rukh, in his trademark wit, said, “Dilwale Dulhania, me and Kajol are like a bad habit you cant get away from us.” When the host reminded him that he once described the film as “dal chawal,” given how staple it has become for Indians, he smiled and agreed: “It’s like dal chawal, yeah”.
Kajol, however, was quick to interrupt, expressing her displeasure: “I dont like this idea of dal chawal, pls give us some more interesting names.” When the host suggested, “it’s like a biryani,” Shah Rukh nodded and replied, “It’s a good biryani”. And Kajol instantly agreed. SRK was then asked what felt more fulfilling, seeing the film remain iconic for 30 years and receiving a permanent tribute in London, or witnessing his son Aryan Khan pay homage to the movie in his debut show The Ba***ds of Bollywood by referencing the famous “palat” moment. With a smile, he said, “I think all of it, yeah. And I cant take the credit for all of it. I think the film that got created by Adi and all of us, I think it’s just so amazing that after all these years, even right now while standing in the rain, we know there is a sense of achievement to all of this, a sense of gratefulness. And then the music starts playing (the theme of DDLJ), and then Kajol said, ‘what a lovely song’ as if it’s not even ours and we are hearing it for the first time.”
Kajol pointed out a divine coincidence: Shah Rukh’s entry in the film happens in the rain, and here they were unveiling a statue under a similar downpour. To this, Shah Rukh added, “And it’s so strange that her son (Yug) is wearing a leather jacket, her daughter (Nysa) is dressed in a salwar kameez.” A surprised Kajol echoed the thought: “In a white salwar kameez! I know it was not planned; it just happened to be.” Kajol’s children, Nysa Devgn and Yug Devgn, also posed beside the statue. Shah Rukh remarked, “Yeah, it was very sweet,” while Kajol concluded emotionally: “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s a little unbelievable, I’m a little awe-struck, and so I have to go and see it a little more closely with my specs on.”
Yesterday, Shah Rukh posted on X: “Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)! Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail. A big thank you to everyone in the UK for making this possible. Come meet Raj & Simran if and when you are in London… we would love to see you make more memories with DDLJ.”
