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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday (October 8) announced that three major productions from India’s leading film studio, Yash Raj Films (YRF), will be shot across locations in the United Kingdom starting in 2026. The move is expected to create over 3,000 jobs and boost the UK economy by millions of pounds.
Starmer made the announcement during his visit to Mumbai, where he toured the Yash Raj Studios along with a delegation of prominent figures from the British film industry, including representatives from the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios. The visit coincides with Yash Raj Studios completing 20 years of operations in India on October 12.
The UK Prime Minister is on a two-day trade mission aimed at deepening ties with India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and enhancing collaboration between the two countries’ creative sectors. The UK film industry currently contributes £12 billion annually to the economy and supports around 90,000 jobs nationwide.
India, the world’s largest film producer, has a long history of shooting in the UK, though YRF’s upcoming projects will mark its return to the region after an eight-year gap. The collaboration is seen as a direct outcome of the strengthening UK-India trade relationship and renewed cultural engagement.
Announcing the partnership, 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."
Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani said the collaboration holds emotional and cultural significance 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," Widhani said. "It is truly special to reignite YRF and UK’s filming ties in the 30th anniversary of DDLJ—a film that is synonymous with the UK-India relationship."
He added that YRF is also producing Come Fall in Love, an English stage musical adaptation of DDLJ, in the UK. "We are thrilled to join hands with the UK again and return to filming in a country that has always been extremely kind to us. UK’s infrastructure, technology and talent are unmatched, and we are delighted to deepen our cultural ties further," he said.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the partnership a natural extension of the deep cultural ties between the two nations. "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," she said.
The partnership will also be supported by a memorandum of understanding between the British Film Institute and India’s National Film Development Corporation, aimed at revitalising co-productions and enabling filmmakers from both countries to share talent and resources.
Past collaborations between the two industries have yielded global successes, such as Slumdog Millionaire, which generated around £300 million for the UK economy on a modest £12 million budget—demonstrating the powerful potential of UK expertise and Indian storytelling coming together.
Also Read: Deposit ₹60 crore to travel to Los Angeles: Bombay HC to Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra
Starmer made the announcement during his visit to Mumbai, where he toured the Yash Raj Studios along with a delegation of prominent figures from the British film industry, including representatives from the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios. The visit coincides with Yash Raj Studios completing 20 years of operations in India on October 12.
The UK Prime Minister is on a two-day trade mission aimed at deepening ties with India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and enhancing collaboration between the two countries’ creative sectors. The UK film industry currently contributes £12 billion annually to the economy and supports around 90,000 jobs nationwide.
India, the world’s largest film producer, has a long history of shooting in the UK, though YRF’s upcoming projects will mark its return to the region after an eight-year gap. The collaboration is seen as a direct outcome of the strengthening UK-India trade relationship and renewed cultural engagement.
Announcing the partnership, 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."
Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani said the collaboration holds emotional and cultural significance for the company. "The UK holds a very special place in our hearts and some of our most iconic films, including
He added that YRF is also producing Come Fall in Love, an English stage musical adaptation of DDLJ, in the UK. "We are thrilled to join hands with the UK again and return to filming in a country that has always been extremely kind to us. UK’s infrastructure, technology and talent are unmatched, and we are delighted to deepen our cultural ties further," he said.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the partnership a natural extension of the deep cultural ties between the two nations. "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," she said.
The partnership will also be supported by a memorandum of understanding between the British Film Institute and India’s National Film Development Corporation, aimed at revitalising co-productions and enabling filmmakers from both countries to share talent and resources.
Past collaborations between the two industries have yielded global successes, such as Slumdog Millionaire, which generated around £300 million for the UK economy on a modest £12 million budget—demonstrating the powerful potential of UK expertise and Indian storytelling coming together.
Also Read: Deposit ₹60 crore to travel to Los Angeles: Bombay HC to Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra
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