If any foreigner asks us to name a Bollywood film that truly represents the ‘masala’ of Hindi cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is surely to pop up in our heads. The 1995 romantic drama featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol remains one of the iconic ventures in Bollywood that continues to influence trends in the romance genre. This film is now getting a Broadway adaptation in the west.
The audience has always been wary of remakes and adaptations. From changing the tone of the original piece to lacking creativity, there are plenty of instances to back this criticism. However, this one surely takes the cake. Actor Austin Colby took to his social media to announce that he will be playing the reimagined role of Raj, who is now named Roger Mandel aka Rog, in Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical while Indian American actor Shoba Narayan.
As if the iconic film getting revamped into a musical was not enough, the fact that the makers decided to select a white actor to play the role of Raj, clearly a desi Munda, has the entire internet riled up. Renowned chef Vikas Khanna was also fairly disappointed in the announcement as he questioned if this was ‘another form of colonization?’. Check out the tweets from distressed netizens who are criticizing the makers’ decision.
Why? How? This is terrible.
This is totally💔
How can the GREATEST ICONIC Indian character (RAJ) be played by Austin Colby.
Another form of Colonization?
Iconic Bollywood film adapted for Broadway whitewashed lead character. Fans aren’t happy. https://t.co/twOAjjczjX via @nbcnews— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) August 3, 2022
Everyone outraging about Austin Colby playing Raj… guys calm down it has been Adi’s original plan that Simran’s Dilwala was a gora. 🙂 . He’s just fulfilling his old dream he he
— M (@mann_baawra) August 3, 2022
I got super excited when I my friends informed that DDLJ (my fav film)was coming on Broadway.We decided to fly.
Then I read that ICONIC Raj is played by Austin Colby as Rog Mandel.I might never see THIS. 😰Cast Of DDLJ- Broadway Musical By Aditya Chopra https://t.co/P2nyGasEUD
— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) July 30, 2022
I can’t make any sense of this. @MarvelStudios figured this out. #RepresentationMatters! If you’re going to turn one of the most iconic Bollywood movies into a Broadway musical, perhaps consider the lead! #DDLJ https://t.co/CpRnf6MfKV
— Aliya Ramji (@AliyaRamji) August 3, 2022
why would anyone think a ddlj broadway musical is a good idea in general
— Vanity (@Chaturvedi0000) August 4, 2022
DDLJ would be NOTHING without SRK Kajol. Also idk if the HW musical formula works for a BW movie?? I mean sure they feel the same on the surface but there’s still a difference imo??? Also doesn’t this reek of a white saviour plotline to you???
— Rhea (@exultantdreamer) August 3, 2022
I can’t believe @yrf cast a white man who didn’t even know what DDLJ was as Raj in the broadway musical. This is embarrassing and disrespectful to all the South Asian fans who grew up loving the movie. Disgraceful. https://t.co/ZrGd0GWOhq pic.twitter.com/TAbeKeDFZu
— ☀️☀️☀️ (@_bela___) August 3, 2022
Raj is our childhood, youth, love & pride.
Many Westerners will never understand what DDLJ means to us.I just saw HOUSEFULL show of @kiterunnerbway on BROADWAY w all colored cast. It received standing applause.
Let’s not make our kids feel less on our own stage #DDLJMusical pic.twitter.com/VZZZazMd37
— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) August 3, 2022
Cover Image: Sourced
John Colin
Source Link : 'DDLJ' Broadway Casts Austin Colby As Shah Rukh Khan's Raj; The Internet Asks 'Another Form Of Colonization?'