We all know that due to the pandemic, the theatres are shut and the movies are releasing on digital platforms. Hindi film industry has surely faced a lot of difficulties, but now things are getting better and the shooting of the movies are resuming.
Well, during this lockdown period, many filmmakers and actors decided to announce their movie. So, today, let’s look at the list of five interesting films that have been announced during the lockdown…
Akshay Kumar already has films like Sooryavanshi, Laxmmi Bomb, Prithviraj, Bell Bottom, Bachchan Pandey, and Atrangi Re in his kitty. But this year, on the festival of Rakshabandhan, he announced a film titled Rakshabandhan. It will be directed by Aanand L Rai and will release in November next year.
From the past many months, we were reading the reports of a movie titled PhoneBhoot starring Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter, and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Well, finally the film was announced a few weeks ago. The makers have made it clear that it will hit the big screens.
The casting coup of the year has to be Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. The two will be seen together in filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s next. The movie was announced on the 50th anniversary of Vyjayanthi Movies. Deepika is ruling Bollywood and Prabhas is now a Pan India star, so the movie will surely do wonders at the box office.
Ayushmann Khurrana is a star and when he decides to do a film, moviegoers are super excited about it. The actor will be seen in Abhishek Kapoor’s next which stars Vaani Kapoor as the female lead. Ayushamm and Vaani’s fresh pairing has surely made us excited for the movie.
Last but not the least; we have Adipurush on the list. The movie will star Prabhas in the lead role and will be directed by Om Raut. The filmmaker this year helmed Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and it was a fantastic film. This one will surely be an epic movie.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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