Mumbai: Be it the forthcoming Goal or previous films like Namastey London, the British city is familiar with Indians through our films. Now, the mayor of London with their film producers guild have set up Film London — a one stop shop for all our shooting needs!

Amitabh Bachchan has appeared many times on celluloid acting on the streets of London. Which is why, he was present at the signing of a new film agreement between London and India — a step to facilitate filmmaking and content exchange for both TV and film.

The agreement signed between the Film and Television Producers Guild of India and Film London will provide a single window system to simplify shooting permits, location scouting and management in the British capital.

Bachchan says, “Whenever we go to a foreign Location, it is a foregone conclusion that shooting in terms of technical expertise, cinematic value etc is superior. London has always been very helpful. It's a popular destination and this move forward will only help filmmakers”.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, says, “Every city is expensive in the first world. Twenty years down the line Indian cities like Mumbai too will be as expensive. So we plan to sort it all out financially too when we are approached through this guild”.

Apart from the agreement, there's also a new guide to London that gives details of what films have been shot in certain historic locations. Given the fact that as many as forty Indian films or serials have been partially shot in the city last year, it doesn't come as a surprise that Indian television too is viewing London as a future exotic locale.

CEO, UTV, Ronnie Screwvala, says, “It's a possible location because budgets for TV soaps are growing extensively. Plus you might actually be quite surprised how expensive it is to shoot in Indian streets sometimes”.

The agreement also involves six British TV and film producers travelling to Indian film studios to see how the entertainment sector operates here and they will be encouraged to use India as a location.