Uttar Pradesh Emerges as Bollywood and OTT Hotspot in 2026, with Major Films and Series Shot Across Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj

Lucknow | January 1, 2026 Uttar Pradesh is set to shine on cinema and OTT screens in 2026 as a growing number of big-budget films and web series, shot across the state in 2025, prepare for release. Cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and the Agra-Mathura belt have firmly established themselves as preferred filming destinations, attracting leading filmmakers, top actors and major production houses. According to industry insiders, the year ahead will see audiences watching familiar Uttar Pradesh locations through fresh cinematic lenses. From historical ghats and crowded streets to quiet outskirts and rural landscapes, filmmakers have explored the state far beyond its usual postcard visuals. Several Bollywood films and OTT projects featuring popular stars were filmed extensively in UP last year and are now lined up for release in 2026. Lucknow-based line producer Aroon Singh Dicky, who has been closely involved with multiple projects, says the shift is clear. He notes that shoots ranging from Dharmendra’s final film Ikkis, which began production on January 1, to Anil Kapoor’s Subedaar and Pankaj Tripathi’s Parivarik ManuRanjan were carried out across Lucknow and nearby areas. He adds that filmmakers are now keen to explore lesser-known locations rather than sticking to the same old landmarks in Lucknow and Varanasi. Actors, too, have praised the experience of shooting in the state. Actor Eijaz Khan, who filmed a crime thriller in the outskirts of Lucknow, described his time in the region as memorable, especially while shooting in the mango belt of Malihabad. He said the closeness to nature and the calm surroundings added depth to the filming experience. Varanasi has continued to draw filmmakers looking for authenticity. Varanasi-based producer Rati Shankar Tripathi shared that parts of the feature film Mirzapur were shot in and around the city before the unit moved to Rajasthan. He pointed out that earlier seasons of OTT series had also been filmed in the Varanasi-Mirzapur and Lucknow regions. He further hinted that SS Rajamouli’s ambitious project Varanasi, currently being shot in Hyderabad, may eventually include filming in the holy city itself. Prayagraj also played a major role in last year’s shoots, especially during the Mahakumbh. Director Bharat Bala filmed Mahasangam, starring Abhishek Banerjee and Shahana Goswami, during the peak of the religious gathering. The film was shot in a guerrilla-style format to capture the scale and energy of the event. Line producers Niraj Tripathi and Rishabh Yadav confirmed that Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, directed by Muddasar Aziz and starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, was also shot in Prayagraj along with other UP cities. The list of projects filmed in Uttar Pradesh continues to grow. Line producer Gyan Prakash Pandey revealed that he worked on a Russian-Jingsong collaboration shot in Varanasi. He also confirmed the completion of Umar Qaid, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Huma Qureshi, which was filmed in Lucknow. Another line producer, Gyanendra Singh, shared similar details about the increasing number of shoots wrapping up in the state. Audiences can look forward to a wide range of releases in 2026, including Mirzapur: The Film with Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Shweta Tripathi, Subedaar starring Anil Kapoor, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Mahasangam, Ikkis, Umar Qaid, Parivarik ManuRanjan and a Lucknow-shot project titled Khatai starring Ritwik Bhowmik. Together, these films and series highlight how Uttar Pradesh has become a major storytelling backdrop, blending culture, realism and cinematic scale—proof that the state is no longer just a setting, but a star in its own right. Uttar Pradesh Emerges as Bollywood and OTT Hotspot in 2026, with Major Films and Series Shot Across Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh is all set to dominate cinema and OTT screens in 2026, as several big films and web series shot across the state get ready for release. In 2025, cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and the Agra–Mathura belt turned into buzzing film sets, welcoming top actors, directors and production teams from across the country. Lucknow remained a favourite, hosting shoots for projects like Dharmendra’s final film Ikkis, Anil Kapoor’s Subedaar and Pankaj Tripathi’s Parivarik ManuRanjan. Line producer Aroon Singh Dicky shared that filmmakers are now exploring fresh locations beyond the usual spots, giving audiences something new to look forward to. Actor Eijaz Khan, who shot a crime thriller in Malihabad, called the experience refreshing and close to nature. Varanasi continued to attract filmmakers looking for real and rooted settings. Parts of Mirzapur: The Film were shot in the city and nearby areas, keeping the story connected to its original backdrop. There are also strong chances that SS Rajamouli’s upcoming project Varanasi may include scenes filmed in the city later. Prayagraj grabbed attention during the Mahakumbh, where director Bharat Bala shot Mahasangam starring Abhishek Banerjee and Shahana Goswami in guerrilla mode. Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, was also filmed across Prayagraj and other UP cities. Other notable projects shot in the state include Umar Qaid with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Huma Qureshi, Khatai starring Ritwik Bhowmik, and a Russian-Jingsong collaboration filmed in Varanasi. Together, these projects show how Uttar Pradesh has become more than just a location—it’s now a major character on screen.