Known for toplining a number of successful shows on Indian television, Arjun Bijlani is set to take a plunge into the digital world. The popular actor is making his digital debut with an upcoming ZEE5 series, titled State of Siege 26/11.
As the title suggests itself, State of Siege 26/11 revisits a series of terrorist attacks that took place in November 2008, lasting four days across Mumbai. The upcoming series is told from the perspective of NSG commandos who were responsible for bringing down the 10 terrorists during the terror strike.
Arjun Bijlani, who plays one of the NSG commandos, shares how he prepared for his role in the series, “I watched action films like Saving Private Ryan (1998) and a lot of other movies to have a visual of everything while shooting for State of Siege: 26/11. I also leaned down a bit to play this character.”
The actor adds that the real superhero also gave in their inputs to make everything as perfect as possible, "Otherwise, everything was supervised by Lt. Colonel Sundeep Sen. He is an inspiration and was also on set to help us get everything right.”
State of Siege: 26/11 is based on Sandeep Unnithan's book Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11. The series has been highly awaited by viewers ever since its trailer surprised everyone with its magnanimity and scale.
Featuring an ensemble cast which includes the likes of Arjun Bijlani, Vivek Dahiya, Arjan Bajwa, Mukul Dev, Sid Makkar, Tara Alisha Berry, Roshni Sahota, Suzanne Bernert, Naren Kumar and others, the series has been directed by Matthew Leutwyler.
State Of Siege: 26/11 is scheduled for its grand premiere on ZEE5 on 20th March 2020.
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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