India’s leading film production company, Yash Raj Films (YRF), has officially announced plans to shoot three major productions across the United Kingdom starting in early 2026, in a move expected to create over 3,000 jobs and contribute millions of pounds to the UK economy. The announcement was made by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to Mumbai.
Yash Raj Films to shoot three major productions in the UK from 2026, confirms PM Keir Starmer
To commemorate the announcement, Prime Minister Starmer visited Yash Raj Studios alongside a delegation of leading British film industry representatives, including members from the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios. The visit also coincided with YRF Studios’ 20th anniversary, celebrated on October 12th.
This initiative forms part of the Prime Minister’s two-day trade mission aimed at strengthening economic and cultural ties between the UK and India. The UK government is looking to deepen collaboration between the two countries’ creative industries, which are both globally recognised for their innovation, impact, and scale.
The UK film and TV industry contributes £12 billion annually to the national economy and supports 90,000 jobs across the country. With its state-of-the-art studio infrastructure and iconic filming locations, the UK remains a sought-after destination for global filmmakers.
India, the world’s largest producer of films, presents a significant opportunity for international collaboration. YRF’s return to filming in the UK after an eight-year gap reflects the growing impact of the evolving UK-India trade relationship.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Strengthening Creative Ties
“Bollywood is back in Britain,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “and it’s bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity—while reinforcing the UK as a top destination for global filmmaking. This is exactly the kind of partnership our trade deal with India is designed to unlock—driving growth, strengthening cultural ties, and delivering results for communities across the UK.”
Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani on Reconnecting with the UK
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, shared his excitement about the renewed partnership: “The UK has always held a special place in our hearts. Some of our most iconic films, like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), were filmed there. We were honoured to host Prime Minister Keir Starmer at YRF Studios today to formalise this partnership and explore how India and the UK can collaborate to enhance global content creation.”
He added, “It feels even more special as we reignite our filmmaking ties with the UK during the 30th anniversary of DDLJ, a film deeply connected to UK-India cultural relations. We’re also working on the English stage adaptation Come Fall in Love (CFIL) in the UK, making this an exciting time for YRF and our global outreach.” Widhani further highlighted the UK’s strengths in technology, infrastructure, and talent, noting that these make the country an ideal production partner for YRF.
Cultural Collaboration and Future Impact
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also commented on the development, stating: “The UK and India’s film industries are both world-class, with a massive global audience. This partnership makes complete sense and aligns with our goals to support growth in the creative sector. Hosting Bollywood productions in the UK will further fuel investment and job creation across our creative economy.”
The announcement is part of broader efforts to deepen the UK-India cultural and economic partnership. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the British Film Institute and India’s National Film Development Commission is also in the works. This agreement aims to encourage co-productions, facilitate talent exchange, and provide mutual access to filming infrastructure.
Past collaborations between UK and Indian cinema have demonstrated remarkable success. A standout example is Slumdog Millionaire, which generated nearly £300 million for the UK economy on a modest £12 million budget, underscoring the potential of cross-cultural storytelling powered by shared resources and expertise.
Global Storytelling, Local Impact
With this renewed commitment from Yash Raj Films, and growing collaboration between two of the world’s most influential film industries, both nations are set to benefit from increased investment, cultural exchange, and global content creation.
Also Read: BREAKING: United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit Yash Raj Films Studios on October 8
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