Penrith transformed into film set for secret Bollywood movie
Penrith town centre was taken over by a large Bollywood film crew as scenes were recorded for a secret new movie.
Market Square and the area around the Musgrave Monument were turned into a working film set on Wednesday, July 8.
Filming continued into the evening, with traffic controls in place while cameras, actors and production teams worked around the town centre.
Market Square changed for filming
One of the main filming locations was J&J Graham, the well-known deli, bakery and grocery shop in Market Square.
Part of the shop was changed to look like a clothing store for the production.
Alan Reading, from J&J Graham, said a location manager had approached the business a few weeks before filming to ask whether the crew could use the building.
He said it was something different for the shop and hoped Penrith’s appearance in the finished film could encourage people to visit the town.
Hundreds of people involved
The production is understood to involve a crew of between 200 and 300 people.
Filming in Penrith took place from around 5pm until 11pm, although earlier traffic information had advised people to expect disruption from 5pm.
Temporary traffic management was introduced near the Musgrave Monument while scenes were recorded.
Residents and visitors gathered nearby to watch the production and see how a major film set operates.
Which film was being made?
The full title of the movie has not been announced.
It is being produced under the working title Project 79 and is described as a large-scale Bollywood production with a major budget.
Production staff have reportedly signed non-disclosure agreements, which prevent them from sharing details about the film or its cast.
The movie is expected to be released in 2027.
Bollywood stars linked to the project
Reports have linked actors Ahaan Panday and Sharvari Wagh to the film.
Panday was reportedly seen taking part in filming in and around J&J Graham.
However, the production company has not formally announced the cast or confirmed the final title.
Casting information published for Project 79 describes it as an intense love story set against a family drama in Birmingham.
The plot is expected to explore love, loyalty and betrayal, while also including action scenes.
Filming taking place across Cumbria
Penrith is one of several locations being used during the production’s UK filming schedule.
Scenes are understood to have been recorded in rural parts of Cumbria, as well as Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
Earlier filming had also been reported in Glasgow.
The range of locations suggests the finished film could show both city streets and the Cumbrian countryside.
Major Indian studio believed to be behind movie
The production is reportedly being made by Mumbai-based Yash Raj Films.
The company is one of the largest and best-known film studios in India and has produced some of Bollywood’s biggest releases.
In 2025, the UK Government announced that Yash Raj Films planned to bring three major productions to Britain from early 2026.
The Government said the films were expected to support thousands of jobs and bring investment into the UK’s film industry.
Could filming benefit Penrith?
Large film productions can bring short-term benefits to the places they visit.
Crew members may use nearby hotels, restaurants, shops and other local services during a shoot.
A successful film can also attract visitors who want to see the places shown on screen.
For Penrith, the shoot offered residents a rare look behind the scenes of a major international production while placing the town in front of a global cinema audience.
