UK PM Keir Starmer meets Rani Mukerji, signs pact for 3 YRF films

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on a two-day visit to India, met Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji at Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios on Wednesday. During his visit, he also watched a movie with Rani and YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani.

Notably, Yash Raj Films has signed a deal to shoot three major productions across the UK starting in early 2026, which PM Keir Starmer announced during the visit, ANI reported.

“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. 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,” PM Keir Starmer said, according to YRF’s statement.

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Strengthening UK-India cultural ties

YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “The 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. We were honoured to host the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at YRF today 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. 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,” Widhani added.

A delegation of prominent British film representatives, including the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios, and Civic Studios accompanied PM Starmer. The visit coincided with Yash Raj Studios’ 20th anniversary of operations in India.

UK, India film industries truly world class

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasised the potential of this partnership, saying, “The 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. By making these Bollywood blockbusters in Britain we will be driving more growth in our world-class creative industries, as we committed to in our Creative Industries Sector Plan.”

The UK PM’s visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the UK in July, where the trade deal was signed and nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins were confirmed.