Three new blockbusters to be filmed across UK
Three major Bollywood blockbusters will be shot in Britain from next year, bringing more than 3,000 new jobs and millions of pounds of investment into the UK’s world-leading film industry.
The announcement was made in Mumbai by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a two-day trade mission to India, alongside Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and a delegation of senior UK film figures from the British Film Institute, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios and Civic Studios.
Revival of a cinematic partnership
India’s biggest film producer, Yash Raj Films (YRF), confirmed plans to return to the UK after an eight-year break, reigniting a historic creative partnership that stretches back to 1995’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – one of Bollywood’s most iconic love stories, partly filmed in London.
YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani said the move was “truly special,” marking 30 years since DDLJ and celebrating the UK’s “unmatched infrastructure, technology and talent.” He added: “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.”
New jobs and cultural ties
The productions, set to begin shooting in early 2026, will employ thousands of UK crew, technicians and creatives across locations from London to the Midlands and the North – bolstering local economies and promoting Britain as a top-tier filming destination.
Prime Minister 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.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: “The UK and India’s film industries are world-class. By making these Bollywood blockbusters in Britain, we’re driving growth in our creative industries while deepening our cultural connections.”
Creative industries on the rise
The UK’s film sector already contributes £12 billion a year to the economy and supports around 90,000 jobs nationwide. Officials say this renewed partnership demonstrates the benefits of the UK-India trade deal signed in July, which has opened new doors for collaboration in media, technology and the arts.
The announcement also includes a new memorandum of understanding between the British Film Institute and India’s National Film Development Corporation to expand co-productions and creative exchange.
Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, said: “The UK and India are two great filmmaking nations with deep cultural ties. This partnership unlocks opportunities to strengthen diversity, support growth and expand audiences.”
Past collaborations have proved hugely successful – the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, filmed partly in Britain, added an estimated £300 million to the UK economy on a modest £12 million budget.
With Bollywood returning to Britain’s soundstages, the government hopes this next wave of cross-cultural filmmaking will write a new chapter in the UK’s global creative story.
