Mumbai: In a major fillip to India-United Kingdom creative ties, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday announced that leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films (YRF) will shoot three major feature films across the UK starting in early 2026.
The landmark agreement, unveiled during Mr. Starmer’s official visit to the iconic Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai marks a significant return for the production powerhouse to the UK after an eight-year hiatus. The collaboration is projected to provide a substantial boost to the British economy generating over 3,000 jobs and attracting millions of pounds in inward investment.
This is Bollywood back in Britain bringing with it jobs investment and opportunities”
Mr. Starmer stated. He framed the partnership as a tangible outcome of the robust India-UK trade relationship adding that it would
showcase the UK as a world-class destination for global film production.”
The announcement holds special significance as it aligns with the 30th anniversary of YRF’s all-time blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) a film that famously captured the landscapes of the UK and forged a deep cultural connection with Indian audiences.
Akshaye Widhani CEO of Yash Raj Films said the studio’s relationship with the country has always been special.
It is fitting that our return coincides with the 30th anniversary of DDLJ a film that forged an unbreakable bond between our cinema and the UK”
he remarked. Mr. Widhani also noted that YRF is currently producing an English-language stage musical adaptation of the film ‘Come Fall in Love’ in the UK.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to deepen institutional collaboration. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also slated to be signed between the British Film Institute (BFI) and the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to streamline co-productions and foster greater creative exchange, heralding a new chapter in cinematic partnership between the two nations.
