ITV

Tag: British Rail

  • Britain’s rail network partners with YRF to mark twin anniversaries

    Britain’s rail network partners with YRF to mark twin anniversaries

    MUMBAI: Britain’s railway system and Yash Raj Films (YRF) have announced a cultural partnership celebrating the railway’s bicentenary and the 30th anniversary of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) in 2025.

    The collaboration centres on Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, premiering at Manchester Opera House on 29 May. The English-language production reimagines the 1995 Bollywood blockbuster, which featured iconic scenes at London’s King’s Cross Railway Station with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

    Director Aditya Chopra, who helmed the original film, leads the musical adaptation about a British Indian woman whose arranged marriage plans are complicated by her romance with a British man. The production features 18 original English songs by Indian composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani, with book and lyrics by Mean Girls veteran Nell Benjamin.

    The creative team includes Broadway stalwarts Rob Ashford as choreographer, Derek McLane as scenic designer, and Indian dance specialist Shruti Merchant, with David Grindrod handling casting.

    Railway 200 executive director Suzanne Donnelly highlighted the railway’s role in shaping cultural narratives, while YRF chief executive officer Akshaye Widhani emphasised the production’s message of unity and diversity.

    The musical runs through 21 June, with special events planned at Manchester and London railway stations. The original DDLJ continues its record-breaking run in Mumbai, where it has played continuously since 1995.

  • Masterclass with Hugh Hudson

    Masterclass with Hugh Hudson

    MUMBAI: A thin, 5 foot 2 inches security man tries to guard the auditorium screen door at MAMi film festival against a long queue of film and advertising enthusiasts awaiting a ‘Masterclass‘ with the award winning filmmaker of “Chariots of fire”. In his attempts at keeping the queue at bay, he almost stops the white haired distinguished guest, Hugh Hudson, from entering.


    Soon, the Masterclass proceeds after the announcement that Prasoon Joshi, who was supposed to have a conversation on Hudson‘s body of work, is unable to make it. Nevertheless, an interesting chat follows as the charming and humourous filmmaker shares interesting anecdotes about his work and what the audience wants to know most – the experience with Al Pacino.


    Talking about the powerful use of the famous Vangelis music in all his work, he also elaborates on the use of silence. “Silence is more important than sound,” he says. “Something Americans don‘t understand,” he adds jokingly.


    When asked about his working style with actors, he reveals that he prefers unknown actors along with strong actors for supporting roles. “Stars can spoil a story,” says Hudson, in response to which the audience nods vigorously.


    Talking about his style in advertising, he says that he works on going to the core of the simple idea, something not so easy and as simple as it sounds. “Just present the product at the very end.” he adds.


    After showcasing the magnificent commercials on British Rail, British Airways, Fiat Strada, Benson & Hedges, he talks about the difference in the advertising scenario in the seventies, eighties and today. “That was the era of grand spending in the advertising world,” he says.


    He parts with wise words to all filmmakers in the audience:”Don‘t make a film for the fame or the money. Do it because you believe in it.”