Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a 1995 romantic drama starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, is definitely one of the most popular Bollywood films. However, now the film is getting a Broadway adaptation in the West, Mashable says. Actor Austin Colby announced on his social media that he will play the reimagined character of Raj, now named Roger Mendel aka Rogue. The Broadway title will be Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical. Raj, the epitome of a lovelorn boy in Bollywood, will now be revived by this British actor as Rog Mendel. He will play his role opposite Indian-American actor Shuba Narayan, who will be Simran.
Austin made the announcement while taking to his official Instagram handle. “A few months ago, I had never heard of the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) nor knew about its global impact. I am in awe of this beautiful love story, Bollywood film. And now, Come Fall In Love – the original director of the DDLJ musical, Aditya Chopra in the lead, and Raj (now Rog) in the lead, a new concept to Bollywood on Broadway. Will undoubtedly be the greatest cultural experience to bring in. The honor of my career,” he wrote in the caption.
As the news spread, netizens across social media reacted differently. There were many who criticized the decision of the makers. “Why? How? It’s terrifying. It’s totally how the greatest iconic Indian character (Raj) could be played by Austin Colby. Another form of colonialism? The famous Bollywood film that Broadway whitewashed the lead character. Made for. Fans are not happy,” one Twitter user wrote. Take a look:
Why? How? It’s scary.
It absolutely is.
How to Play the Greatest Iconic Indian Character (RAJ) by Austin Colby
Another form of colonialism?
The famous Bollywood film which is based on Broadway whitewashed for the main character. Fans are not happy. https://t.co/twOAjjczjX through @nbcnews— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) August 3, 2022
Another person wrote, “I got so excited when I told my friends that DDLJ (my favorite movie) was coming to Broadway. We decided to take a flight. Then I read that ICONIC Raj’s character Austin Colby stars as Rog Mandel. I May Never See Him. DDLJ – Cast of Broadway Musical by Aditya Chopra.
I got so excited when I told my friends that DDLJ (my favorite movie) was coming to Broadway. We decided to fly.
Then I read that the ICONIC Raj is played by Austin Colby as Rog Mandel. I may never see it.The cast of DDLJ- the Broadway musical by Aditya Chopra https://t.co/P2nyGasEUD
— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) 30 July 2022
Here are some reactions:
I can not believe @Career Cast a white guy who didn’t even know what a Broadway musical was as Raj DDLJ. This is embarrassing and disrespectful to all the South Asian fans who grew up loving the film. Humiliating. https://t.co/ZrGd0GWOhq pic.twitter.com/TAbeKeDFZu
— ☀️☀️☀️ (@_bela___) August 3, 2022
Right!? Like how would they do that? The inherent charm of DDLJ was SRK-Kajol tbh and it’s already a paper thin plot. And judging from these photos, it doesn’t look like the two will have any chemistry at all. I have some faith in Shoba since she was in Hamilton but idk
— (@chopdacrazen) August 3, 2022
Why would anyone think a DDLJ Broadway musical is a good idea in general?
— Vanity (@Chaturvedi0000) August 4, 2022
I can’t make sense of it. @Marvel Studios It turns out. # Matters of representation! If you’re going to turn one of Bollywood’s most popular films into a Broadway musical, maybe consider the lead! #DDLJ https://t.co/CpRnf6MfKV
— Aliya Ramji (@AliyaRamji) August 3, 2022
It’s beyond terrifying. So Broadway is adapting the popular Bollywood film, DDLJ, into a musical and guess who they’ll cast as Raj…yes a white man. pic.twitter.com/2bGqu4GbLc
— ri (@Ad0reeRii) August 1, 2022
How do you make a Broadway adaptation of Bollywood’s most popular and iconic film, still playing in theaters to this day, and cast a white man as the male? It could have been an amazing opportunity for
Representation of South Asians in Mainstream Broadway. #DDLJ https://t.co/onfK4juwDU— Avantika Panda (@avantika_panda) July 27, 2022
What is your position on this?
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