NATIONAL NEWS: Three new Bollywood blockbusters will be filmed in the United Kingdom from next year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in Mumbai this week.
India’s leading film production and distribution company, Yash Raj Films, confirmed plans to bring major productions to locations across the UK beginning in early 2026.
The move is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs and boost the UK economy by millions of pounds.
To mark the announcement, the Prime Minister visited Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, joined by representatives from the British Film Institute (BFI), British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios.
The visit is part of Mr. Starmer’s two-day trade mission aimed at strengthening ties with India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and deepening collaboration between the two nations’ globally renowned creative industries.
The UK film industry contributes £12 billion annually to the economy and supports around 90,000 jobs nationwide. Its world-class studios and iconic backdrops make it a sought-after destination for international filmmakers.
India, the world’s largest film producer, has a long history of filming in the UK. Yash Raj’s return follows an eight-year hiatus, underscoring the growing impact of the UK–India trade deal.
“Bollywood is back in Britain”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Bollywood is back in Britain, and it’s bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, all while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking.
This is exactly the kind of partnership our trade deal with India is destined to unlock – driving growth, strengthening cultural ties and delivering for communities across the country.”
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, said the partnership carries special meaning for the company:
“The UK holds a very special place in our hearts and some of our most iconic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) were shot in this beautiful and incredibly hospitable country.
We were honoured to host the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at YRF today to ink this pact and also had the pleasure to discuss how India and UK could come together to push the content landscape globally through landmark collaborations like this.
It is truly special to reignite YRF and UK’s filming ties in the 30th anniversary of DDLJ – a film that is synonymous to UK-India’s relationship. Our company is currently producing the stage adaptation of DDLJ, the English musical titled Come Fall in Love (CFIL) in the UK too.
So, we are thrilled to join hands with UK again and return to filming in the country that has always been extremely kind to us. UK’s infrastructure, technology and talent is unmatched and we are delighted to deepen our cultural ties with a country that has always empowered us to excel creatively.”
Cultural collaboration and creative growth
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the new productions represent the best of both nations’ cinematic talent:
“The UK’s and India’s film industries are truly world class, entertaining billions around the world. Given the strength of our sectors and the deep cultural ties between our two countries, partnerships between Bollywood and British studios make complete sense.
By making these Bollywood blockbusters in Britain we will be driving more growth in our world-class creative industries, as we committed to in our Creative Industries Sector Plan.”
This week’s announcement also includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the British Film Institute and the National Film Development Commission of India. The agreement will encourage co-productions, enabling filmmakers from both countries to share resources, talent and expertise.
Past collaborations have demonstrated the potential of UK–India partnerships. The cross-cultural hit Slumdog Millionairegenerated around £300 million for the UK economy on a budget of just £12 million.
Industry leaders welcome the move
Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the British Film Institute, said:
“The UK and India are two great film making and film loving nations with deep cultural ties and this trip fuels an exciting new future together. Our respective Governments recognise that our screen industries working closer together unlocks opportunities to strengthen cultural diversity, support industry growth and expand audiences and our new MOUs are designed to take us closer to achieving this.
In the UK, we want to welcome more production from India and build more collaboration and co-production between our nations for us to benefit economically and culturally.”
Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, added:
“We’re extremely proud of the deep and rich relationship the UK enjoys with India in film. We share many cultural reference points, not to mention business interests. I’m confident that, working with such major Indian film companies as Yash Raj Films, we will open the door to even greater creative collaborations and economic opportunities between the UK and India.”
Andrew M Smith OBE DL, Corporate Affairs Director of Pinewood Group, said:
“I am delighted to represent Pinewood Group on this special envoy to meet our industry colleagues in Mumbai, home of Bollywood. This is a chance to learn and understand different perspectives and make new connections as well as find ways to collaborate and continue to produce movies that resonate with a global audience.”
Rebecca Hawkes, Head of Elstree Studios, commented:
“As Elstree celebrates its centenary there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to visit India, a country with an equally rich and distinguished cinematic heritage. This trip is a tremendous opportunity to build on existing relationships and develop productive new links between two global film and television powerhouses.”
Anushka Shah, CEO of Civic Studios, said:
“As a UK-India media company, Civic Studios is proud to be part of this historic delegation. We’re here to forge bold, new creative partnerships that spotlight social impact films like our upcoming release Christmas Karma directed by Gurinder Chadha, as well as our growing portfolio of climate media work – we believe the future of the planet needs a better script, and one that brings the global north and south together. We’re thrilled that the delegation provides opportunities to strengthen ties across India and the UK.”
A blockbuster partnership
The three upcoming films mark a renewed era of UK–India collaboration in cinema, expected to generate jobs, investment and creative exchange on both sides.
As the Prime Minister said in Mumbai, “Bollywood is back in Britain”—and this time, it’s here to stay.
