Come Fall In Love : The DDLJ Musical
Come Fall in Love, based on the hit Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, bursts onto the Manchester Opera House stage in its UK premiere. This stage adaptation, with new English songs from Nell Benjamin (co-writer of Legally Blonde and Mean Girls), Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, is directed by the movie’s original director, Aditya Chopra.
The storyline is essentially your classic, clichéd rom-com, Romeo and Juliet type love story but with a Bollywood twist. Recent Oxford graduate Simran (Jena Pandya) sets off travelling around Europe before she must return for an arranged marriage back in India. Whilst there, she ends up stranded with her antithesis; privileged, partying public schoolboy Roger (Ashley Day) and, in true rom-com style, they end up falling in love. The unlikely pair must then find a way to challenge cultural traditions and allow true love to prevail. Whilst the story is predictable, it is also heart-warming and a celebratory depiction of love and cultural roots.
The two leads have chemistry and portray their story well, but the narrative doesn’t really rely on the romantic love story to carry the show. Instead, the message in the lyrics often seems more directed towards a love for family, culture and home. Irvine Iqbal and Harveen Mann-Neary who play Simran’s father Baldev and mother Lajjo, deliver impressive vocals and both superbly portray the struggles between tradition and progression. Kara Lane as Roger’s mother and Kinshuk Sen as the groom-to-be, bring a light comedic storyline to the show.
The entire cast provide excellent vocal harmony within the party-style British pop numbers as well as the traditional Punjabi, Bollywood inspired songs. This is similarly reflected in the choreography (Rob Ashford and Shruti Merchant) with the ensemble executing neat and uplifting Bollywood routines. The choreography itself cleverly combines dance styles whilst allowing the Bollywood dancing to shine through.
However, it is the show’s vibrant sets and costumes (Derek Mclane and Linda Cho) which truly invite you to come fall in love with this Bollywood spectacle. This is particularly true of the second act where the setting switches to India, and the production really becomes a feast for the eyes and ears. The opening number of each act perfectly captures the intended contrast between the dark, lamplit streets of England and the vivid colours of the Punjab. The stunningly beautiful costumes capture the essence of Indian cultural dress, whilst also adding effect to the dance numbers.
At times, especially in the scene where Roger and Simran are reunited in India, the lighting was not utilised to portray the scene to best effect with each actor creating shadows on the other. However, clever videography techniques throughout such as the realistic flock of pigeons add an extra dimension to the overall visuals.
The ending of the show provided a fitting celebration of culture and acceptance. The cast brought the Holi festival to life on stage with a colourful, joyful and high energy performance.
Despite a twenty-minute delay in starting the show due to technical issues, this vibrant and upbeat show was worth the wait and left the audience with an appetite for more West End meets Bollywood.
This show was reviewed on the 7th June 2025 at the Opera House, Manchester where it runs until the 21st June 2025. Tickets available here: Come Fall in Love Tickets | Opera House Manchester in Manchester | ATG Tickets
Review written by Rachael & Gabrielle Groves
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Photo credit: Johan Persson
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