Veteran actor Parmeet Sethi disclosed that his younger son, Ayushmaan Sethi, came tantalisingly close to portraying the iconic role of Kuljeet in the West End musical adaptation of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), titled Come Fall in Love, during a celebratory YouTube Live session on November 9, 2025. The revelation marked the family's channel, AAAP Ka Parivaar, hitting one million subscribers, with Parmeet—famed for originating the brash Punjabi fiancé Kuljeet opposite Kajol's Simran in Aditya Chopra's 1995 blockbuster—sharing how Ayushmaan was shortlisted after auditions for the London production.

“He was shortlisted for the role of Kuljeet in the Broadway adaptation of DDLJ that happened in the West End of London. He almost got it,” Parmeet proudly announced, highlighting the full-circle moment three decades after the film's release. Ayushmaan, joining his parents on the live stream, explained the ultimate reason for missing out: the producers sought an actor with extensive experience in Western classical singing, an area where he had some background but not the depth required for the demanding musical format.

The family discussion also featured Parmeet's wife, actor Archana Puran Singh, who reflected on the challenges faced by young performers: “As an aspiring actor, it’s very tough... Struggle is a very Indian term, but we usually call them aspiring actors.” Both Ayushmaan and his elder brother Aaryamann are alumni of the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, equipping them with professional training as they pursue acting careers in a competitive industry.

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Parmeet's original portrayal of Kuljeet in DDLJ remains etched in pop culture, contributing to the film's enduring legacy as one of Bollywood's longest-running releases. The musical, directed by Aditya Chopra, reimagines the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol classic with diverse casting and elaborate song-and-dance sequences, premiering in London's West End before eyeing Broadway. Ayushmaan's near-miss underscores the evolving opportunities for second-generation actors while highlighting the specialised skills now essential in global adaptations of Indian cinematic icons.

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