During his visit to Mumbai, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed that Yash Raj Films (YRF) will stage three major feature films in the UK beginning in 2026. The move, he said, is expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs and inject millions into the British economy.
Starmer toured YRF’s Mumbai studios alongside representatives from prominent UK film institutions, such as the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios. He described the development as a revival of cinematic collaboration: “Bollywood is back in Britain, bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity,” he remarked.
This initiative is viewed as a milestone in the UK-India creative sector partnership. The announcement coincides with the renewal of efforts to deepen cultural and industrial ties through the new trade agreement between the two nations.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, recalling that many iconic Indian films—including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge—have been filmed in the UK. He called the upcoming projects a homecoming and cited Britain’s infrastructure, technology, and creative talent as strong motivators behind the decision.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also welcomed the collaboration, highlighting that producing Bollywood blockbusters in Britain aligns with the government’s strategy to bolster the creative industries.
To facilitate this collaboration, the British Film Institute and the National Film Development Corporation of India plan to sign a cooperation agreement to support co-productions and resource sharing between the two countries’ film sectors.
