Full Cast Announced for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical UK Premiere at Manchester Opera House
The highly anticipated UK premiere of Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, an English-language musical adaptation of the iconic Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), has announced its full cast ahead of its opening at Manchester Opera House from 29 May to 21 June 2025.
Based on the record-breaking and beloved 1995 Hindi-language film, the musical follows the same story of love, cultural clashes, and personal growth, now set to an exuberant new score featuring 18 all-new English songs. Directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of DDLJ, the musical adaptation will bring the energy and vibrancy of the original film to the stage, combining Bollywood-style choreography with Western theatrical conventions.
Lead Cast
The lead roles will be played by Jena Pandya (Bhangra Nation, Mamma Mia!) as Simran and Ashley Day (An American in Paris, Dynasty) as Rog.
Jena and Ashley will be joined by an exciting ensemble of talented actors:
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 (Austenland) as Ben
Millie O’Connell (SIX) 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.
Additional Cast and Ensemble
Completing the cast are an ensemble of performers including:
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)
Mohit Mathur (Beyond Bollywood)
Tom Mussell (Burlesque)
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)
Swings: Emily Goodenough (Sunny Afternoon), Marina Lawrence-Mahrra (The Secret Silk), Jordan Maisuria-Wake (Peter Pan).
The Story
Set in both the UK and India, Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical tells the timeless story of Simran and Rog, two young individuals from different cultural backgrounds who fall in love while navigating family expectations, societal pressure, and personal desires. The musical adaptation promises to explore themes of love, identity, and cultural tradition, all set to the rhythm of the upbeat, catchy score that defines DDLJ.
Creative Team
Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Olivier Award winner for Legally Blonde and writer of Mean Girls with Tina Fey)
Music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (Vishal & Shekhar)
Choreography by Rob Ashford (Tony, Olivier, and Emmy Award winner)
Co-Choreography (Indian Dances) by Shruti Merchant (famous for Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl and Taj Express)
Scenic Design by Derek McLane (Two-time Tony Award winner)
Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman
Sound Design by Tony Gayle
Video Design by Akhila Krishnan
Musical Supervisor and Arranger by Ted Arthur
Casting by David Grindrod CDG (Grindrod Burton Casting)
Tickets
Tickets for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical at Manchester Opera House go on sale to the public from 16 April 2025, with priority booking starting from 11 April 2025.
Additionally, 2,000 tickets will be made available at £10 each for under-30s, key workers, and those receiving government benefits.
Don't miss out on this dazzling, high-energy celebration of love, tradition, and music from one of the most iconic films of all time.
