After delivering superhit cop-dramas Singham (2011), Singham 2 (2013) and Simmba (2019), filmmaker Rohit Shetty is expanding his cop universe with his forthcoming directorial outing Sooryavanshi. Starring megastar Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, the movie was earlier set to hit screens on 24th March, 2020. However, the makers had to postpone its release keeping in mind the dire situation which arose out of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Even as news of Sooryavanshi getting delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreak hit every one hard, we hear that Rohit Shetty is contemplating to take the Singham franchise forward with superstar Ajay Devgn. Yes, you heard it right! Shetty is planning to work on Singham 3 next. Not just that, we also hear that Akshay Kumar is most likely to have an extended guest appearance in the next instalment of the superhit franchise.
“Singham is on the anvil next with Ajay Devgn. That’s what Rohit is directing in 2021. And just as Devgn has an extended cameo in Akshay’s Sooryavanshi, Akshay will be making a prominent guest appearance in Singham 3 alongside Ajay Devgn,” a source in the know informs an entertainment portal.
Interestingly, Rohit Shetty has also confirmed Golmaal Five, the fifth instalment of his Golmaal franchise, with Ajay Devgn. It remains to be seen as to which film will mount the shooting floor first: Golmaal Five or Singham 3.
Hit machine Shetty is also producing an untitled film which will be directed by Farah Khan. Though it has been more than a year since the two made their collaboration official, there has been no update on the project.
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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