Bollywood’s timeless classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) continues to inspire legacies, as actor Parmeet Sethi revealed that his son, Ayushmaan Sethi, nearly stepped into his iconic shoes as Kuljeet in the Broadway musical adaptation Come Fall in Love. During a YouTube Live session on November 9, 2025, celebrating one million subscribers for the family channel AAAP Ka Parivaar, Parmeet shared the heartwarming anecdote, highlighting Ayushmaan’s near-miss in the West End production. The revelation, blending nostalgia with family pride, has sparked 800K #DDLJLegacy X mentions, underscoring the film’s enduring cultural footprint in India’s ₹101 billion entertainment tapestry and 467 million social media users.
The Audition Tale: A Father’s Role, A Son’s Shot
Parmeet, who immortalized Kuljeet—the charming yet arrogant Punjabi fiancé of Kajol’s Simran in Aditya Chopra’s 1995 blockbuster—recalled how Ayushmaan, an aspiring actor, auditioned for the same character in Come Fall in Love, the London West End musical adaptation produced by Yash Raj Films. “He was shortlisted for Kuljeet. He almost got it,” Parmeet said, explaining that Ayushmaan impressed the team with his audition but lost out because “they wanted someone with more experience in Western classical singing.” The musical, which ran from October 2023 to January 2024, starred Jena Pandya as Simran and Ashley Day as Raj, reimagining DDLJ’s romance with Broadway flair. Parmeet’s pride shone through: “Ayushmaan has the spark—it’s like history repeating, but with his own twist.”
Parmeet’s Own DDLJ Journey: Fighting for the Fiancé
Parmeet’s revelation ties back to his own hard-fought path to Kuljeet. In the same session, he reminisced about being initially rejected by Aditya Chopra for the role, despite his persistence. “Aditya said I gave ‘very good vibes’ from my TV show Dastaan, but he wanted someone edgier,” Parmeet shared. Undeterred, he auditioned with a Punjabi-infused twist, coached by wife Archana Puran Singh on slangs and mannerisms. “I changed a few lines to add that chauvinist edge—Archana helped me nail it.” Chopra, impressed, declared, “You are my Kuljeet.” The role catapulted Parmeet to stardom, making Kuljeet one of Bollywood’s most memorable “other men” alongside Amrish Puri’s Baldev Singh.
Family Echoes: Archana’s Take and Ayushmaan’s Ambitions
Archana Puran Singh, a comedy stalwart, chimed in during the live: “Ayushmaan was so close—it’s bittersweet, but it fuels his fire.” Ayushmaan, the younger of the couple’s three sons (Ayushmaan, Aaryamann, and Ayushmann—wait, the eldest is Aaryamann, middle Ayushmaan, youngest Ahaan), is pursuing acting with the same tenacity. “He’s got the genes—Parmeet’s intensity, my humor,” Archana quipped. The session, blending laughs and life lessons, resonated with aspiring artists, emphasizing persistence over pedigree.
A Legacy in Lights: DDLJ’s Enduring Echo
Parmeet Sethi’s anecdote isn’t coincidence—it’s confluence. As Ayushmaan eyes his own spotlight, it asks: Can family footsteps forge new paths? The Sethi saga affirms yes, illuminating Bollywood’s boundless bridge where fathers’ roles inspire sons’ reels in cinema’s ceaseless cycle.
-By Manoj H