Three Bollywood films from leading Indian film production and distribution company Yash Raj Film will shoot in locations across the UK from early 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled today (October 8).
Starmer is leading a delegation of screen figures to visit Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai today. It is estimated these productions will create over 3,000 jobs and boost the economy by millions of pounds.
UK producers’ organisation Pact has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Producers Guild of India, committing to efforts in education about what each country has to offer, and to share best practices, market intelligence, reports on tax credits, co-production information and relevant organisations in each territory.
The British Film Institute (BFI) is on track to sign its own MoU to increase collaboration between the two countries’ screen industries.
The BFI’s MoU was signed with its Indian equivalent, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), to establish close cooperation across film and broader screen, boosting co-production, greater access for audiences, cultural exchange and support for film heritage.
India is the second-largest source of inward investment spend in the UK screen sector, totaling 7% of film production spend over the last decade and contributing £118m a year to the UK economy.
UK films to shoot in India recently include Santosh, Sister Midnight and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2025 Shalini Adnani’s untitled debut feature.
The UK industry delegation in India includes Monica Chadha, BFI governor, filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, Andrew Smith, BFI governor and corporate affairs director at Pinewood Studios, Adrian Wootton, CEO British Film Commission, Rebecca Hawkes, acting head of studios at Elstree Studios and Namrata Sharma, director of impact and partnerships at Civic Studios.
The visit follows on from culture secretary Lisa Nandy’s trip to India in May, in which a “cultural cooperation agreement” to encourage more collaboration between the two countries’ creative businesses and cultural institutions.
No comments yet