In a moment that beautifully intertwined cinema, diplomacy, and culture, Bollywood icon Rani Mukerji welcomed United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studio in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The special event marked a significant milestone in India-UK cultural relations, underscoring how cinema continues to serve as a bridge between nations.
A Bollywood Welcome For Britain’s Prime Minister
Prime Minister Starmer, who arrived in India for a two-day trade and cultural mission, was received at YRF with traditional warmth and fanfare. Children waved the flags of both India and the UK, symbolizing hope for the next generation of global collaboration.
Rani Mukerji, accompanied by Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, greeted the Prime Minister and led him through the studio’s iconic soundstages — where countless Bollywood blockbusters have been filmed. The dignitaries later attended a private screening celebrating Indian cinema’s global legacy.
The visit also marked a rare intersection of political diplomacy and film artistry, positioning Bollywood as not just entertainment, but a powerful tool of soft power and storytelling diplomacy.
Keir Starmer On Strengthening Cultural And Creative Partnerships
During his interaction with media and film representatives, PM Keir Starmer praised India’s thriving entertainment industry, calling it “a cultural superpower with a voice that resonates across continents.”
“Bollywood is back in Britain — bringing jobs, creativity, and collaboration. Together, we can craft stories that reflect our shared values and showcase both countries as creative powerhouses,” Starmer said.
He emphasized that the ongoing UK-India Free Trade Agreement will also open new doors for the film, media, and entertainment industries, boosting investment, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Yash Raj Films: A Legacy Of Global Storytelling
YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani shared that the studio is honored to host the UK Prime Minister, especially as 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), one of the most iconic films shot extensively in the UK.
“It’s poetic that this collaboration comes full circle with DDLJ’s anniversary. The UK has been a second home to YRF’s stories for decades,” said Widhani.
He also highlighted YRF’s English-language musical adaptation of DDLJ, Come Fall In Love, currently being staged in the UK — a symbol of the enduring cinematic bond between both nations.
A New Era Of India-UK Film Collaboration
The visit also saw the announcement of a cooperation agreement (MoU) between the British Film Institute (BFI) and India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The partnership aims to support co-productions, shared film training programs, and international location shoots.
Industry experts believe this collaboration could pave the way for more Indo-UK joint film ventures, film festivals, and talent exchange initiatives — benefiting filmmakers, actors, and production teams on both sides.
Cultural Diplomacy Through Cinema
This event is more than a high-profile meeting; it represents a renewed chapter in cinematic diplomacy. India and the UK have long shared creative ties, with British landscapes often serving as backdrops for Bollywood’s most romantic scenes. Now, that partnership is evolving beyond storytelling — into economic growth, cultural exchange, and creative innovation.
As Rani Mukerji bid farewell to the Prime Minister after the screening, the moment felt symbolic — a global icon of Indian cinema welcoming a world leader into the heart of Bollywood’s storytelling universe.
