H2: UK-India film collaboration gains momentum as Starmer visits YRF Studios
H3: A high-profile mission with a clear economic and cultural agenda
The two-day visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to India is underscored by a concerted push to deepen film industry ties between the United Kingdom and India. On the itinerary was a stop at YRF Studios in Mumbai, where Starmer was welcomed by top executives and a delegation from Britain’s film ecosystem. The meeting, described by insiders as productive, highlights shared goals of expanding production collaborations, unlocking trade opportunities, and positioning both nations as leaders in global cinema.
H2: Delegation signals robust UK film industry backing
H3: A broad-based representation of British film power
Starmer arrived in Mumbai from London ahead of the two-day programme focused on people, projects, and policy. Accompanying him was a delegation representing key British film institutions, including the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios. The presence of these organizations signals a unified intent to leverage the UK-India trade framework to bolster creative output, jobs, and bilateral investment in screen content.
H2: Conversations with Indian producers underscore a shared vision
H3: Mutual appreciation of heritage productions and future co-productions
At YRF Studios, Starmer met a cadre of Indian producers, including Akshaye Widhwani, CEO of YRF, and senior figures such as Rani Mukerji (Aditya Chopra’s wife), Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films, Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment, and Apoorva Mehta of Dharma Productions. A source close to the talks characterized the discussion as a 30–40 minute exchange centered on how UK-India collaboration can accelerate global content distribution, talent exchange, and technology sharing.
H2: The UK-EY partnership in film is about more than projects
H3: Economic and cultural exchanges shaping the cinema landscape
The UK Prime Minister emphasized that Bollywood’s return to Britain is about more than box-office numbers. He framed the collaboration as a driver of jobs, investment, and cross-cultural understanding, aligning with a broader trade deal designed to unlock film-friendly paths for production, post-production, and talent mobility. In a statement, Starmer underscored the mutual value: stronger cultural ties feed growth, while showcasing the UK as a premier destination for global filmmaking.
H2: YRF’s vision for a transcontinental slate
H3: Major productions planned in the UK, with roots in Indian storytelling
YRF’s leadership outlined a forward-looking plan to transfer some major productions across locations in the UK beginning early 2026. The studio house also highlighted its ongoing cultural exports, noting that classics such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge helped cement a long-standing UK-India cinematic bond. Widhani spoke of a renewed partnership that could enable Indian narratives to travel more broadly and for British audiences to engage with Indian cinema in new formats, including stage adaptations like the English musical Come Fall in Love in the UK.
H2: A milestone as YRF celebrates two decades of operation in India
H3: A reflective milestone amid a broader industry evolution
The meeting coincides with YRF Studios’ planned 20-year celebration in India later this year, a milestone that punctuates the company’s pivotal role in shaping modern Indian cinema and its international footprint. The YRF portfolio spans beloved films such as Kabhi Kabhie, Chandni, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Darr, Dhoom, Veer Zaara, Ek Tha Tiger, War, and Pathaan, underscoring the production house’s enduring influence and its appeal to global partners.
H2: Looking ahead: a renewed UK-India filmmaking corridor
H3: Creative growth, talent mobility, and shared infrastructure
The visit signals a strategic intent to recalibrate the UK-India film relationship, leveraging Britain’s advanced production infrastructure, technology, and talent pool alongside India’s vast storytelling capabilities. As projects move from dialogue to development, both sides anticipate a more dynamic slate of co-produced content that can travel beyond traditional markets and enrich audiences with diverse, globally resonant narratives.
