Yash Raj Films, one of India’s premier film production and distribution houses, in all probable shoot its major film projects on locations across UK.
The expansion which kicks-off in early 2026, is expected to generate over 3,000 jobs and add millions of pounds to the UK economy. This was announced by the British PM Keir Starmer in Mumbai on Monday.
To mark the announcement, the UK Prime Minister visited Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai along with representatives from leading British film organisations, including the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios and Civic Studios. Yash Raj Studios is also celebrating 20 years of operations on October
The UK PM’s visit is part of the Prime Minister’s two-day trade mission to India, aimed at strengthening business and cultural ties between the two countries. The initiative also seeks to boost collaboration between the UK and India’s globally recognised creative industries. The UK film industry currently contributes around £12 billion annually to the economy and supports 90,000 jobs across the country. With world-class studios and scenic locations, it remains a popular destination for international filmmakers.
As a country of 1.4 billion with a growing entertainment industry, India represents a major opportunity for UK companies to expand and grow – and vice versa.
According to the British PM Keir Starmer, “Bollywood returns to Britain, and it’s bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, all while spotlighting the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking.
Adding this is exactly the kind of partnership our trade deal with India is destined to unlock – driving growth, strengthening cultural ties and delivering for communities across the country.”
As per Yash Raj Films’ CEO Akshaye Widhani UK holds a very special place in our hearts and some of our most iconic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) were shot in this beautiful and incredibly hospitable country.They were honoured to host the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at YRF to ink this pact and also had the pleasure to discuss how India and UK could come together to push the content landscape globally through landmark collaborations like this.
It is truly special to reignite YRF and UK’s filming ties in the 30th anniversary of DDLJ – a film that is synonymous to UK-India’s relationship. Our company is currently producing the stage adaptation of DDLJ, the English musical titled Come Fall in Love (CFIL) in the UK too.”
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He added, “So, we are thrilled to join hands with UK again and return to filming in the country that has always been extremely kind to us. UK’s infrastructure, technology and talent is unmatched and we are delighted to deepen our cultural ties with a country that has always empowered us to excel creatively.
As per Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said, UK’s and India’s film industries are truly world class, entertaining billions around the world. Given the strength of our sectors and the deep cultural ties between our two countries, partnerships between Bollywood and British studios make complete sense.
Adding that by making these Bollywood blockbusters in Britain YRF will be driving more growth in their world-class creative industries, as they committed to in their Creative Industries Sector Plan.
The announcement is the latest example of how the UK’s deepening partnerships with India’s booming cultural scene will create new jobs, drive investment and bolster creative content in the UK, while celebrating our valuable people-to-people links.
This partnership will be strengthened by a new agreement between the British Film Institute (BFI) and India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The MoU will promote co-productions and allow filmmakers from both countries to share talent, skills, and resources.
In the past, collaborations between the two industries have created global successes. One example is Slumdog Millionaire, which earned around £300 million for the UK economy on a budget of just £12 million — showing what can happen when British technical expertise meets Indian storytelling.
News Edit KV Raman
