Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical at Manchester Opera House – review

Aditya Chopra’s stage adaptation of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge arrives in Manchester with a bold new vision designed to bring this Bollywood blockbuster to an even wider audience. Bursting with energy, this is a production brimming with heart and irresistible charm. It is a classic tale of a summer of love that topples a traditional Hindu arranged marriage. Having been a cinema favourite for 30 years, it looks set to continue its success on stage.

In this new version, Simran is a diligent and dutiful daughter who is also a super bright student with a scholarship to Oxford University. She graduates with a First and is now facing an arranged marriage in India to the son of her father’s best friend and business partner. A trip around Europe is a bittersweet last adventure before marriage until her plans are derailed when she crosses paths with Rog, a wealthy and privileged nepo-baby with an irresistible grin and a heart of gold. Sparks fly as the unlikely couple clash and spar before a missed train culminates in a drunken night where tradition takes a back seat and love becomes the driving force.

From the moment the lights go up, the production looks and sounds like a winner with vivid choreography, witty dialogue, and a pulsating soundtrack that blends Bollywood beats with West End flair. Nell Benjamin has written 18 new numbers that drive the narrative and hit all the right emotional notes.

The chemistry between the leads is palpable and Simran’s inner conflict is played with just the right mix of poignancy and pluck. Jena Pandya charms as the heroine trying to navigate two cultures. There are moments where her vocals seem less confident, but in the second act, she really hits her stride. Ashley Day as Rog gives an assured performance that captivates. His voice sounds perfectly pitched for these tunes and as he throws himself wholeheartedly into the Bollywood numbers, it is clear he has the audience in the palm of his hand.

The rest of the cast are impressive, with Irvine Iqbal sounding great as Simran’s proud father Baldev. Kara Lane as Rog’s mother is deliciously acerbic and aristocratic, and she comically wows the would-be bridegroom Kuljit.

The first act – centering around University life in Oxford and interrailing around Europe – sets up the story nicely, but in doing so risks losing pace at times. However, it is when the action shifts to India that this production really soars. The big Bollywood elements, such as the glittering engagement party and the colourful Holi Festival, are fabulous and utterly joyful.

Chopra’s stage debut as a director outside India shows a deep understanding of diasporic identity and a flair for theatrical spectacle. For fans of the original, it’s a love letter. For newcomers, it’s an exhilarating ride through romance, culture clash and an invitation to look beyond colour and creed and come fall in love.