British PM Keir Starmer announces Yash Raj films to shoot three major movies in the UK from 2026 during Mumbai visit

Yash Raj Films to shoot three major movies in the UK from 2026

In a major boost for cinematic collaboration between India and the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in Mumbai that Yash Raj Films (YRF) will produce three major movies in the United Kingdom starting in early 2026.

The move is expected to create over 3,000 new jobs and inject millions of pounds into the British economy.

The announcement came during Keir Starmer’s visit to Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, which is celebrating 20 years of operation this October.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by top names from Britain’s film industry — including representatives from the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios.

Calling the collaboration a landmark cultural moment, Keir Starmer said,

“Bollywood is back in Britain, and it’s bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity, all while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking.”

The Prime Minister’s two-day trade visit aims to strengthen economic and creative ties with India — one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment markets. The UK film industry currently contributes £12 billion annually and supports 90,000 jobs, making it one of the most dynamic creative sectors globally.

Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani expressed excitement about reigniting the production house’s partnership with the UK after nearly eight years.

“The UK holds a very special place in our hearts. Some of our most iconic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), were shot there,” Widhani said.

“Reigniting this relationship during DDLJ’s 30th anniversary makes it even more special. We’re also working on its English stage adaptation, Come Fall in Love (CFIL), in the UK.”

He added that the collaboration highlights how Indian and British industries can “push the global content landscape together.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed the move, calling it a “perfect example of cultural synergy.” She emphasized how these Bollywood blockbusters will “drive more growth in the UK’s creative industries” as part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan.

The initiative will also be supported by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the British Film Institute and India’s National Film Development Corporation, enabling joint productions, resource sharing, and talent exchange.

Past India-UK collaborations have been massive successes — Slumdog Millionaire alone contributed nearly £300 million to the UK economy. With Yash Raj Films returning to British soil, the next wave of cross-cultural hits seems inevitable.

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Yash Raj Films will begin production on three major films in the UK from early 2026.

The partnership is expected to generate over 3,000 jobs and boost the UK economy significantly.

This marks Yash Raj Films’ return to the UK after eight years, strengthening the UK-India creative partnership and celebrating 30 years of DDLJ.