Yash Raj Films is returning to the UK in a big way.
A major Indian film production and distribution company has signed a deal to shoot three major films across the UK starting in early 2026, Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed on Wednesday during a visit to Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. These works are expected to create over 3,000 jobs and inject millions of pounds into the UK economy.
The announcement marks the end of Yash Raj Films’ eight-year hiatus in the UK and highlights the early effects of the UK-India trade deal on the creative sector.
Mr Starmer made the announcement during a two-day trade mission aimed at strengthening ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. He was accompanied by a delegation of heavyweights from the British film industry, including representatives from the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios and Civic Studios. The visit coincided with Yash Raj Studios’ 20th anniversary of operations in India.
The visit builds on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July and a trade visit to India in May led by UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, which identified the screen industry as a key opportunity area for closer cooperation.
Mr Starmer said: “Bollywood is coming back to the UK, bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, while promoting the UK as a world-class destination for global film production.” “This is exactly the kind of partnership that our trade agreement with India is meant to unlock, one that will foster growth, strengthen cultural connections and serve communities across the country.”
The UK film industry contributes £12 billion ($16.1 billion) a year to the economy and supports 90,000 jobs across the country, making us a popular destination for international filmmakers thanks to our world-class studio infrastructure and iconic locations. India is the second largest source of inward investment in British film production, accounting for a total of 7% of inward investment spending over the past decade and contributing £118 million ($158 million) annually to the UK economy.
For Yash Raj Films, returning to the UK has special resonance. The company’s most iconic film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), was shot extensively in the UK, and the company’s English-language musical adaptation of the film, Come Fall in Love, is being performed across the UK.
“Britain holds a very special place in our hearts and some of Britain’s most iconic films, including ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ), were shot in this beautiful and incredibly hospitable country,” said Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films. “It is truly special to rekindle the bond between YRF and British cinematography on the 30th anniversary of DDLJ, which is synonymous with British-Indian relations.”
Widani added: “The UK’s infrastructure, technology and talent are unparalleled, and I’m delighted to be deepening our cultural ties with a country that has always inspired us to excel creatively.”
Mr Nandi added: “The British and Indian film industries are truly world-class, entertaining billions of people around the world. Producing these Bollywood blockbusters in the UK will help drive further growth of our world-class creative industries, as we promised in our Creative Industries Sector Plan.”
Alongside Yash Raj Films’ announcement, a new Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the British Film Institute and the National Film Development Corporation of India, formalizing a partnership that has been active since 2021. The MoU will establish a framework for cooperation across film, television, video games, immersive media and video.
“When I visited India in May, I was struck not only by the strength of the creative tradition we share, but also by the extraordinary potential of what we can build together,” Nandi said. “This landmark agreement between the BFI and the National Film Development Corporation of India marks the start of an exciting new chapter in UK-India cultural cooperation. From co-productions and film festivals to skills exchange and story sharing, this partnership will open new opportunities for filmmakers and bring our world-class storytelling to fresh and diverse audiences in both countries.”
The agreement will prioritize co-production opportunities, skills development, preservation and restoration of film heritage, and enhanced audience engagement by promoting Indian films in the UK and British films in India. Knowledge sharing regarding technology developments, including artificial intelligence, will also be covered.
Ben Roberts, CEO of the BFI, said: “The UK and India are two great film-making and film-loving nations with deep cultural ties, and this visit will foster an exciting new future together. “We recognize that working closely together opens opportunities for our two countries’ film industries to strengthen cultural diversity, support industry growth and expand audience participation, and our new Memorandum of Understanding is designed to help achieve this.”
The BFI was recently named a winner of the 2025 British India Awards for its role in promoting cultural and film collaboration between the UK and India.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the UK agreement and the Indian Producers Association.
India produces more films than any other country in the world and, as a country of 1.4 billion people, has a rapidly growing entertainment industry, presenting huge expansion opportunities for British companies.
