‘Hullywood’ has become Bollywood as the set jetting city welcomes its latest production.
Famously given its movie-inspired nickname thanks to an impressive list of Big Screen and TV location filming, Hull is now broadening its supporting role credits with the first Bollywood production to visit the city.
In another boost to its growing set-jetting credentials, Hull’s streets are being turned into locations for new Punjabi film ‘Dastaar’, which will hit cinema screens on 17 July 2026.
Set in 1980s London, the movie is described as “a story of courage, faith, and identity” and will be filmed in various locations across the city between 16 November and 9 December, including High Street, Prince Street and Dagger Lane.
From Henry Cavill and Millie Bobby Brown to Peter Capaldi and Dev Patel, not to mention Jenna Coleman and David Jason, the streets of Hull have proved a popular star-spotting spot.
The biggest production yet came courtesy of streaming giant Apple TV, and its 2024 movie Blitz, from British writer and director Steve McQueen, which starred Saoirse Ronan and Stephen Graham.
It follows smash-hit Netflix productions, The Crown, Enola Holmes 2 and Bodies, as well as cinema success The Extraordinary Life of David Copperfield, in using Hull as a prime filming location.
Now the city can add Bollywood to its Hollywood credentials.
And with ‘set-jetting’ a top travel trend among visitors, Hull’s movie trail guide – available in print and in an Augmented Reality (AR) version – offers visitors a chance to follow in the footsteps of the stars and discover some of the real-life locations.
It must be Hullywood features 11 productions, detailing where they were filmed and which leading actors were involved. It is available at the Visitor Information Pod at Paragon Interchange in the city, or downloadable at www.visithull.org/to-do/hullywood-film-tv-trail/
Along with shining a spotlight on Hull, attracting large-scale productions also brings a financial boost, pumping upwards of £250,000 into the city thanks to crews filling hotel spaces and using leisure and hospitality venues.
For tourism information about visiting, and staying in, Hull, see www.visithull.org
Check out our feature on Hullywood’s TV and movie credits here.