It is not every day that Scotland’s First Minister walks into one of Bollywood’s most influential studios. John Swinney’s visit to Dharma Productions, where he met Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, turned a diplomatic stop into a pointed show of intent, placing Indian cinema at the heart of Scotland’s latest cultural and business outreach.
The Mumbai meeting formed part of Swinney’s India trade mission, which focused on expanding economic, cultural and investment links. Within that wider programme, the Dharma visit stood out as a clear effort to strengthen Scotland’s connection with the Indian screen industry and encourage more film and television projects to look its way.
Scotland Pitches Itself As A Filming Base
At Dharma Productions, discussions centred on Scotland’s potential as a destination for future Indian productions. Accompanied by Screen Scotland, Swinney highlighted the country’s mix of striking locations, experienced crews, strong production infrastructure and creative expertise, all of which make it an attractive option for filmmakers and studios planning overseas shoots.
Scotland’s screen credentials already carry familiar resonance in Indian cinema. Its landscapes have appeared in Hindi films including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and that visibility continues to give the country a natural entry point in conversations with Bollywood producers looking for visually rich international locations that can also deliver on logistics.
Dharma Productions And Apoorva Mehta’s Role
Dharma Productions remains one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable banners, with Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta playing central roles in shaping its creative and business identity over the years. Their presence in the meeting brought studio leadership into direct conversation with Scottish officials and screen representatives exploring future production opportunities.
Mehta’s wider industry standing also adds another layer to the engagement. His long association with the Producers Guild of India places him within a larger network of decision-makers involved in production, partnerships and industry dialogue across the Indian film business.
Producers Guild Roundtable Expands Talks
The Dharma meeting was followed by an industry roundtable convened with the Producers Guild of India, bringing together senior Indian producers and representatives from Scotland’s screen sector. The session widened the conversation beyond a single studio visit and opened the door to broader discussions around sustained collaboration.
That shift matters because Scotland’s outreach appears focused not only on attracting individual shoots, but also on building a more durable relationship with Indian film and television stakeholders. With Screen Scotland involved and major Mumbai industry figures in the room, the visit marked a formal step in positioning Scotland as a serious long-term screen partner for India.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news, and the latest box office news.
