FILMING for a new movie featuring one of Bollywood's biggest stars is currently taking place in the district.

Gold, which stars Akshay Kumar, tells the story of India's first ever gold medal as an independent nation, in hockey at the 1948 Olympics in London.

He plays Balbir Singh, the team's centre forward, who is widely regarded as one of the best hockey players of all time.

At the Olympics, the Indian team beat Great Britain in the final, held at Wembley Stadium, four goals to nil, with Balbir Singh scoring two.

Filming has started in the district, and is will continue until mid-August.

Last month, producers put out a casting call for 2,000 local extras to star in the Bollywood production, which is set for release in August 2018, 70 years since the historic victory.

Gold is being directed by Reema Kagti, and also stars other Bollywood actors Mouni Roy, Farhan Akhtar, and English actor Richard Cunningham, who has appeared in the Star Wars franchise, The Theory of Everything, and Sherlock.

Bradford City of Film director David Wilson said: “We are hugely excited that the production team behind Gold chose Bradford as their base.

"The Bradford Film Office has been providing support in terms of period locations, office space and help in a call out for extras.

“The city’s architecture lends itself to double for period London, and also a range of other locations needed for this historic story.

“All of this adds to recent figures about the Yorkshire region as the premier location for making films in the UK and Bradford is a big part of that."